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Zelenskyy: Ukraine’s counteroffensive progress ‘slower than desired’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:00:21 GMT

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy admitted Wednesday that the progress of Kyiv’s counteroffensive to recapture Russian-occupied territory has been “slower than desired.” In an interview with the BBC, Zelenskyy said, “Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. It’s not.”“What’s at stake is people’s lives” he added. Ukraine in recent weeks has ramped up efforts to reclaim its territory but, while Kyiv says it has liberated eight villages in the country’s south and east, progress has been slow against heavily fortified Russian lines. But Zelenskyy was defiant. “Whatever some might want, including attempts to pressure us, with all due respect, we will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best,” he said in the interview. Last fall, Ukraine recaptured swathes of occupied territory with a lightning-quick counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region. Zelenskyy also hit b...

Salem, NH man charged in connection with January 6 assault on the Capitol

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:00:21 GMT

A Salem, New Hampshire man has been arrested on felony charges, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, officials announced. Richard Zachary Ackerman, 22, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, civil disorder, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and theft of government property. Ackerman made his initial appearance today in the District of New Hampshire. According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Ackerman was among a mob illegally massed on Capitol grounds, including on the lower west terrace and near an archway and tunnel that leads into the Capitol building. Court records say that Ackerman found a U.S. Capitol Police helmet and put it on. Later in the day, while wearing the helmet, Ackerman is accused of throwing a water bottle toward the entrance to the tunnel, where a line of police o...

Summer Starts

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:00:21 GMT

A bit of a crisp feel to the air early on this Wednesday morning as temps kick off the day in the 40s and 50s. Just like yesterday highs will hold in the 60s at the coast to low to mid 70s inland. With that said, we’ll catch more sunshine as the chance for scattered showers is NOT in the forecast today. Sure, temps run about 6-10 degrees below average, but the overall start to summer is solid. Yes, astronomical Summer starts at 10:57am today. Enjoy! Clouds increase tomorrow and some shower action is possible with the highest chance across CT, RI and SE Mass. Highs tomorrow run from the mid 60s along the south coast to the mid 70s in southern NH. Humidity ramps up Friday as a pattern that features isolated to scattered storms develops across the area. As warmth and humidity surge into New England, it’ll no doubt start to feel like the start of summer as highs head into the mid 70s to mid 80s (coolest south coast). In terms of the stormy pattern… yes, it’ll be...

China says Biden comments likening leader Xi to a dictator are ‘extremely absurd and irresponsible’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:00:21 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China on Wednesday called comments by U.S. President Joe Biden referring to Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a dictator “extremely absurd and irresponsible.” The clash of words comes just over a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded a visit to Beijing that sought to break the ice in a relationship that has hit a historical low. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Biden’s comments at a fundraiser in California “go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on China’s political dignity.” “It is a blatant political provocation. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and opposition,” Mao said at a daily briefing. “The U.S. remarks are extremely absurd and irresponsible,” Mao said. Blinken’s visit, during which he met with Xi, was aimed at easing tensions between the two superpowers but appeared not to have achieved any solid results.Biden...

Chicago Bears Q&A: Any regrets with Chase Claypool? Who could surprise at training camp — and which battles will be ones to watch?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:00:21 GMT

Brad Biggs answers your Chicago Bears questions weekly, except when the mailbag is on vacation. This is the final installment until after training camp opens.I keep hearing the Bears are getting increasingly frustrated with Chase Claypool and are having deep regrets. He hasn’t exactly fit in with the Bears or before that with the Steelers, who got an amazing deal in the trade. What did GM Ryan Poles see in this guy? He didn’t set the world on fire in Pittsburgh. What do you think the Bears will do with him? — Michael K.All of the chatter in regard to Claypool this offseason — positive, negative and otherwise — will be moot when the season begins. There were many mailbag questions about the wide receiver this week and the best thing I can tell you is Claypool’s production on the field will tell the story. Yes, the Steelers wound up with a good haul for a player they selected No. 49 in 2020. They got a pick back that turned out to be 17 slots higher...

London Series 2023: What to know about the Chicago Cubs-St. Louis Cardinals games — including how (and when) to watch

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:00:21 GMT

The Chicago Cubs are headed to London. Finally.Initially scheduled to play the St. Louis Cardinals in the London Series in 2020, the rescheduled games will take place Saturday and Sunday at London Stadium.Our Cubs reporter Meghan Montemurro is headed across the pond to document it all. Follow her on Twitter at @m_montemurro, keep up with the daily sights on our Instagram and read it all at chicagotribune.com/cubs.Here’s what to know about the London Series, including how — and what time — to watch the games.Why were the games delayed three years?One word: COVID.The pandemic forced the cancellation of the series in the shortened 2020 baseball season.When the games were first announced in 2019, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant were photoshopped as Paul McCartney and George Harrison on the iconic “Abbey Road” cover to promote the London games. But Bryzzo is now gone, as is former Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, who had the John Lennon spot in the photo, reti...

Israel’s Netanyahu approves plans for 1,000 new homes in West Bank settlement after deadly shooting

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:00:21 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his government has approved plans to build 1,000 new homes in the West Bank settlement where four people were killed by a pair of Palestinian gunmen.“Our answer to terror is to strike it hard and to build our country,” Netanyahu said.The new homes are to be built in Eli — the site of Tuesday’s deadly attack.The international community overwhelmingly opposes settlement construction in the occupied West Bank as obstacles to peace.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military on Wednesday deployed additional forces across the occupied West Bank and prepared to demolish the homes of two Palestinian gunmen who killed four Israelis in one of the worst attacks in the past year of violence. The families laid to rest the victims in the deadly shooting in the West Bank settlement of Eli, in which two Palestinian militants opened fire at a gas station restaurant.Israel...

With Wembanyama a player like few others, there’s no debate at the top of this NBA draft

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:00:21 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama’s towering shadow has hung over this NBA draft for months, blocking much of what is usually part of the process.There has been no debate about who the San Antonio Spurs should take with the No. 1 pick Thursday night, no discussion of which player might be a better fit, no real attempts to raise any red flags about the presumed selection.When a player like Wembanyama comes along — and maybe none ever has — there’s no real reason to drum up any drama. The Spurs are not going to pass up someone who is listed at 7-foot-4 but has the skills of a player much smaller.The 19-year-old from France has been called the best prospect since LeBron James came out of high school 20 years ago, perhaps with some physical gifts that even the NBA’s career scoring leader didn’t possess.Expectations from the outside world are sky-high. Wembanyama insists that won’t bother him.“I have such high expectations for myself and I’m so determined th...

7 Pakistanis arrested for alleged key role in migrant ship that sank off Greece, leaving 500 missing

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:00:21 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani authorities said Wednesday they have arrested seven alleged key figures in a human trafficking ring following last week’s sinking of an overcrowded smuggling vessel off Greece that left more than 500 migrants missing, including Pakistanis.Police told The Associated Press that the ring was engaged in smuggling Pakistanis into Europe and that the arrests took place over the last two days, as part of a government crackdown on traffickers.Thirty other suspects were arrested over the past few days in Pakistan and were being questioned for their role in facilitating smuggling activities.Police continued raids across the country on Wednesday, in an attempt to arrest all involved in the migrant ship disaster. Pakistan’s intelligence agencies are also helping local police in tracking smugglers who went underground.Each of those who tried to make the perilous journey to Europe — hoping for a better life — paid the smugglers between $5,000 to $8,000, Paki...

Indian leader Modi will start his US visit with yoga on the UN lawn, a savvy and symbolic choice

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:00:21 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — There will be plenty of time to discuss global tensions during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S. this week. But he’s starting his day Wednesday by highlighting a pursuit of inner tranquility.After arriving in New York on Tuesday afternoon and holding private meetings, the leader of the world’s most populous nation kicks off his public schedule Wednesday with a group yoga session on the United Nations’ north lawn. U.N. General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and many other diplomats and U.N. officials are expected to attend the event. It honors the International Day of Yoga, which Modi persuaded the U.N. to designate in 2014 as an annual observance. The yoga-themed U.N. visit is a savvy and symbolic choice for a premier who has made the ancient discipline a personal practice and a diplomatic tool. First practiced by Hindu sages, yoga has now become one of India’s most po...