North Korea’s Kim vows full support for Russia at summit with Putin at a Far East spaceport

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:22:50 GMT

North Korea’s Kim vows full support for Russia at summit with Putin at a Far East spaceport SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea’s Kim Jong Un vowed “full and unconditional support” for Russia’s Vladimir Putin on Wednesday as the two leaders isolated by the West held a summit that the U.S. warns could lead to a deal to supply ammunition for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.The meeting, which lasted over four hours at Russia’s spaceport in the Far East, underscores how their interests are aligning: Putin is believed to be seeking one of the few things impoverished North Korea has in abundance – stockpiles of aging ammunition and rockets for Soviet-era weapons.Such a request would mark a reversal of roles from the 1950-53 Korean War, when Moscow gave weapons to support Pyongyang’s invasion of South Korea, and in the decades of Soviet sponsorship of the North that followed.The decision to meet at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia’s most important launch center on its own soil, suggests Kim is seeking Russian help in developing military reconnaissance satellites, which he has described...

Host France turns eye on Uruguay at the Rugby World Cup in their first meeting

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:22:50 GMT

Host France turns eye on Uruguay at the Rugby World Cup in their first meeting LILLE, France (AP) — Beating New Zealand to open the Rugby World Cup in Paris last week was three years in the making for France.That box was ticked in impressive fashion.France overcame conceding tries at the start of each half to win 27-13.Les Tricolores seemed to effortlessly shoulder the weight of expectations from a packed Stade de France crowd of 78,690 and a local TV audience of 15.4 million. France’s most watched event all year drew a bigger audience than for the France soccer team’s opening game at the men’s World Cup in Qatar. What’s more, the big screens at the Paris rugby village in Place de la Concorde attracted more than 40,000 people.“We had to switch from a match we had focused on for three years to this one against Uruguay in a short space of time,” France coach Fabien Galthie said. “We’ve put together a team that we feel is ready in terms of freshness, preparation and combinations.”FRANCE vs URUGUAY (First meeting)There are 12 ch...

Detienen a Danelo Cavalcante, el preso que había escapado de una prisión en Pensilvania

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:22:50 GMT

Detienen a Danelo Cavalcante, el preso que había escapado de una prisión en Pensilvania (CNN) — El recluso fugitivo de Pensilvania, Danelo Cavalcante, está bajo custodia, según un funcionario policial cercano a la investigación.Los detalles adicionales no quedaron claros de inmediato.Cavalcante huyó de la prisión el 31 de agosto en una fuga que fue parcialmente captada por una cámara.Las imágenes de vigilancia lo mostraron en un pasillo estrecho entre dos paredes en un patio de ejercicios, colocando sus manos y pies a cada lado y “caminando como cangrejo” hacia arriba, fuera de la vista. Luego corrió a través de un techo, escaló una cerca y se abrió paso a través de alambre de púas para escapar, dijo más tarde el director interino de la prisión, Howard Holland.Cronología de la fuga y persecución de Danelo Cavalcante, asesino convicto en PensilvaniaA partir de entonces inició un raid que incluyó medidas de seguridad extremas en la zona de búsqueda, como el cierre de escuelas. Fue captado por cámaras de seguridad y visto por vecinos en diferentes oportunidades.Dane...

5 Colorado restaurants receive Michelin star

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:22:50 GMT

5 Colorado restaurants receive Michelin star DENVER (KDVR) — The Michelin Guide finally came to Colorado and named 18 delicious restaurants in a ceremony Tuesday night. The most notable include five newly awarded one-Michelin-star establishments. 9 Colorado restaurants win Michelin award Here are some of the top awards:One Michelin star restaurantsMICHELIN Star restaurant: Beckon. (Photo credits: Jonnie Sirotek)MICHELIN Star restaurant: Bosq. (Photo credits: Brooke Casillas)MICHELIN Star restaurant: Bruto. (Photo credits: Jeff Fierberg)MICHELIN Star restaurant: Frasca. (Photo credits: Casey Wilson)MICHELIN Star restaurant: The Wolf's Tailor. (Photo credits: The Wolf's Tailor)BeckonLocated in RiNo, this contemporary restaurant releases quarterly menus with seasonal favorites. At the restaurant, there's an intimate 18-seat countertop where you can watch the chefs make their magic. In the anonymous inspector notes, they enjoyed the seared quail breast with a side of creamed kale. 5 train tours near Denver to see the fall colo...

Will Prop HH eliminate TABOR refunds? Scenario 'likely' over time

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:22:50 GMT

Will Prop HH eliminate TABOR refunds? Scenario 'likely' over time DENVER (KDVR) — Proposition HH is touted as a way to lower tax payments, but it would also have an effect on Colorado's TABOR refunds.Prop HH would do a few things under the premise of lowering property taxes for the next decade. It would, in part, increase the cap on state revenue — meaning some of the money refunded under the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights would stay in government coffers. After 10 years, the law could be extended without voter approval.So what does that mean for TABOR refunds? As laid out in the 2023 ballot information booklet, the refunds will be lower in the future, and it's possible they could be eliminated.TABOR refunds would change under Prop HHColorado's TABOR law puts a cap on state revenue and requires the excess to be returned to taxpayers. Normally, the refunds are distributed based on income.For the 2023 tax year, Prop HH would flatten TABOR refund amounts to an estimated $898 for single filers and double that for joint filers, regardless of income, accordi...

Planet in ‘habitable’ zone could have rare oceans and a possible sign of life, Webb data reveals

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:22:50 GMT

Planet in ‘habitable’ zone could have rare oceans and a possible sign of life, Webb data reveals (CNN) — Waters may be flowing on the surface of a colossal planet that lies about 120 light-years from Earth, according to new evidence uncovered by the James Webb Space Telescope.The investigation with the space-based observatory, one of the most advanced astronomy instruments in operation, revealed that the exoplanet K2-18b may have some key features of a planet that could support bodies of water — and life.Closely orbiting the cool dwarf star K2-18, the exoplanet lies within the star’s habitable, or Goldilocks, zone and is 8.6 times as massive as Earth. An analysis of Webb’s observations found the planet has abundant methane and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere.The presence of these carbon-bearing molecules, along with a scarcity of ammonia, could indicate an atmosphere rich with hydrogen that surrounds an ocean world, according to a NASA news release.Carbon is considered the building block of life-forms on Earth.The Hubble Space Telescope initially spotted evidence of water vapo...

Vehicle fire shuts down Florida Turnpike South in Broward County

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:22:50 GMT

Vehicle fire shuts down Florida Turnpike South in Broward County A vehicle fire on Florida’s Turnpike South brought traffic to a standstill, just before the Sunrise Boulevard exit. On Wednesday morning, firefighters responded to a blaze on the turnpike which has since been put out. Delays on the highway are evident with traffic backed up all the way to Exit 67 at Coconut Creek Parkway. As a result of the cleanup underway, three right lanes are blocked. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, no injuries were reported.Motorists are strongly advised to avoid the affected area and seek alternative routes if possible. Delays are expected to persist until the situation is resolved and the roadway is reopened.

Germany’s Social Democrats throw party for Putin’s pal Gerhard Schröder

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:22:50 GMT

Germany’s Social Democrats throw party for Putin’s pal Gerhard Schröder Germany’s center-left Social Democrats (SPD) will honor former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder at a shindig in his hometown, despite heated discussions over the ex-leader’s Russia links. The Hannover SPD branch will carry out a tribute for Schröder’s 60-year-long party membership, the managing director of the SPD branch, Christoph Matterne, told POLITICO. He added that there was no consensus on holding a party at city level, so the event is being organized by the district.The party will take place on October 27, the anniversary of the start date of Schröder’s chancellorship 25 years ago. The date was selected after a call between the SPD and Schröder, Matterne confirmed. The event will only be open to invited guests. Among the 50 attendees will be close friends of Schröder and former members of his Cabinet, who will watch the ex-leader be awarded a pin and a certificate.Schröder — who in March survived an attempt to expel him from the SPD — has come under fire fo...

What Ursula von der Leyen said vs. what she meant

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:22:50 GMT

What Ursula von der Leyen said vs. what she meant BRUSSELS — Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address on Wednesday hit several strong rhetorical notes, from soaring invocations of historical destiny to a touching anecdote about a Ukrainian mother who fled to Europe with her son.For the European institutions, which say “strategy” frequently and practice it rarely, this was big-picture stuff. It was likely intended either to cement her legacy or bolster her chances of winning a second term next year (if she decides to stand for reelection).Perhaps for that reason, she took a softer tone than she has in the past on touchy subjects such as climate ambition and rule of law — earning rebukes from many politicians and nongovernmental organizations, while avoiding provoking her main constituencies.For those not used to parsing Brussels speeches — or those simply too dazzled by Von der Leyen’s fetching salmon blazer to pay attention — here’s a guide to what she really meant.What she said: “Our Union today reflects the vision o...

Escaped Pennsylvania inmate Danelo Cavalcante is in custody

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:22:50 GMT

Escaped Pennsylvania inmate Danelo Cavalcante is in custody (CNN) — Escaped Pennsylvania inmate Danelo Cavalcante is in custody, Pennsylvania State Police announced.“This is a message from Pennsylvania State Police. The search for Danelo Cavalcante is over. The subject is now in custody,” a reverse 911 call sent to area residents said.State police are planning to hold a news conference at 9:30 a.m.His capture ends a two-week manhunt for the escaped killer, which yesterday shifted to South Coventry Township in Chester County as police announced Cavalcante, 34, was now armed.Schools were closed and residents were put on alert as police searched for the fugitive in the area about 20 miles north of the prison he broke out of two weeks ago.Live updates: Escaped killer is in custodyCavalcante, had turned up shirtless at a homeowner’s garage Monday night, ran in and grabbed a .22-caliber rifle, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said in a Tuesday news conference.The homeowner fired his pistol at Cavalcante&nbs...