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Sánchez visits Kyiv on the day Spain starts EU presidency to underline bloc’s support for Ukraine

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:39:09 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez started Spain’s six-month presidency of the European Union with a lightning visit to Kyiv on Saturday to underline the bloc’s support of Ukraine in the face of the invasion by Russia.Sánchez arrived in the Ukrainian capital by train from Poland.The Spanish government said he would address Ukraine’s parliament at 0830 GMT (4:30 a.m. EDT) and then meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The two will give a news conference around 1030 GMT (6:30 a.m. EDT).Zelenskyy announced the visit Thursday in an address to European leaders gathered for a summit in Brussels. He highlighted the symbolism of the visit and the importance of the next six months for Europe. He added that it was the moment to begin negotiations for Ukraine’s entry into the EU.Speaking Friday in Brussels, Sánchez said, “The war in Ukraine will be one of the great priorities of our presidency, with the focus being on guaranteeing the unity (on the issue) among...

Daily horoscope for July 1, 2023

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:39:09 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Sagittarius.Happy Birthday for Saturday, July 1, 2023:You are bright, energetic and witty. You need security, but you love adventure. It’s important to take care of your mind, body and spirit this year. You might enroll in classes or explore the arts. This is the perfect time for a makeover or to invest in yourself.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Family discussions will go very well today, especially discussions about home repairs and DIY projects. This is also an excellent day for a gathering of any kind of family members or friends where you live. Stock the fridge and invite the gang over! Tonight: Adventure!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★This is a winning day for you, primarily because you’re in such a positive frame of mind. You believe in yourself. You believe in your abilities. You believe that you have a positive future. That’s all it takes. Attitude is everything, and y...

Miss Manners: I was dinged on my job review, and I think it was for my bathroom bluntness

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:39:09 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Some time ago, I was doing contract work for a large company. One day I passed my boss in the hallway, and she asked if I’d been at lunch.I replied, “No, I was in the can.”Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: I want to ditch a wedding planner who is proposing horrifying activities Advice | Miss Manners: I thought it was inappropriate for her to skip the funeral and show up for the food Advice | Miss Manners: I told the subway rider he was rude, and he got huffy Advice | Miss Manners: Why do they ask such questions about my groceries? Advice | Miss Manners: The bride isn’t friendly, plus I know she’s already married. Must I go to her wedding? She seemed shocked at my response. I thought I was just being honest.Then, in a performance review, she praised my work but said I was “too familiar” with people.She’s quite a bit younger than I am,...

Dear Abby: I just found out what happens at home when I’m on the night shift

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:39:09 GMT

DEAR ABBY: While I work 12-hour night shifts at a hospital, my husband sometimes invites his co-workers and friends over. He likes to hang out with a crowd. (I prefer to keep my circle of friends tight.)Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: I can’t even play with cats correctly Advice | Dear Abby: I prevailed in the dispute but it split our friend group Advice | Dear Abby: I’m sure his wife saw his inappropriate behavior with me Advice | Dear Abby: We can’t go out with her anymore, and we can’t tell her why Advice | Dear Abby: My daughters want to follow the same house rules as my son I didn’t usually mind. These shifts are on weeknights, and my husband has to work the next day, and he gets our three kids to bed on time.Recently, my 10-year-old daughter told me that she saw them with a tube on the counter and they were sniffing things. She also said the wife of one of my husba...

Japan crushes New Zealand to reach Asia Cup final

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:39:09 GMT

SYDNEY (AP) — Japan produced another commanding performance at the women’s basketball Asia Cup with a heavy 88-52 defeat of New Zealand in the semifinals on Saturday.After beating defending champion Australia by 25 points in pool play earlier in the week to top the standings — and earn qualification for the Paris Olympics next year — Japan started fast and never gave New Zealand a foothold in the game.Defending champion Australia and China play the other semifinal game later, with the winner to line up against Japan in Sunday’s final. Japan won every quarter of Saturday’s match with forward Stephanie Mawuli top scoring with 17 points and six rebounds from just over 19 minutes on court, while Monica Okoye scored 16 points with five rebounds in the lopsided contest. Charlisse Leger-Walker led New Zealand with 14 points. The eight-team regional tournament doubles as qualifying for next year’s Olympics, with the semifinalists — Japan, Australia, China and New Zealand — qualifying ...

Former Montgomery Co. School department head pleads guilty to misconduct in office

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:39:09 GMT

Todd Watkins was the man who was responsible for making sure the fleet of school buses for Maryland’s largest school district ran on time. And in 2021, he struck a deal that was lauded as the biggest single-district transition from a diesel-powered to an electric-powered school bus fleet.On Friday, Watkins, 56, entered a guilty plea to a charge of misconduct in office linked to his failure to — according to prosecutors — “properly manage the contract for the purchases of school buses and the use of purchasing cards” in his department. The charge is a misdemeanor and carries a penalty that ranges from probation to six months in jail.Watkins, who lives in Jefferson, Maryland, will be sentenced on Sept. 11. He entered his plea in Montgomery County Circuit Court on Friday.It’s the second guilty plea from a former school official in the MCPS transportation department in three months.Charles Ewald of Knoxville, Maryland, served as Assistant Director of Transportation under Watkins and in ...

AP’s Global Week in Pictures: June 24 – June 30

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:39:09 GMT

June 24 – June 30, 2023Life returned to normal in the Russian capital after the abortive coup mounted by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, riot police faced off against demonstrators reacting to the fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old driver in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, and Muslims around the world celebrated Eid al-Adha. In the world of sports, disabled swimmers took part in a test event ahead of the Asian Games in Hangzhou.This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images from around the world made or published by the Associated Press in the past week.The selection was curated by AP photo editor Subramoney Iyer in New Delhi, India.Follow AP visual journalism:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews/AP Images on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_ImagesSource

Pirates take on the Brewers on home winning streak

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:39:09 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (43-39, second in the NL Central) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (39-42, third in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Saturday, 4:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Corbin Burnes (5-5, 4.10 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 89 strikeouts); Pirates: Johan Oviedo (3-8, 4.06 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 80 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Brewers -144, Pirates +123; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Milwaukee Brewers looking to continue a four-game home winning streak.Pittsburgh has gone 22-19 at home and 39-42 overall. The Pirates have a 25-4 record in games when they scored at least five runs.Milwaukee is 43-39 overall and 21-21 in road games. The Brewers have hit 87 total home runs to rank ninth in the NL.Saturday’s game is the fifth meeting between these teams this season. The Brewers hold a 3-1 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Jack Suwinski is fourth on the Pirates with 24 extra base hits (eight doubles and 16 home runs). Carlos Santana is 13-for-4...

Mets host San Francisco Giants, look to end home losing streak

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:39:09 GMT

San Francisco Giants (46-36, third in the NL West) vs. New York Mets (36-46, fourth in the NL East)New York; Saturday, 4:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Anthony DeSclafani (4-7, 4.28 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 69 strikeouts); Mets: Justin Verlander (2-4, 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 49 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Mets -144, Giants +122; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets aim to stop their three-game home losing streak with a win over the San Francisco Giants.New York has a 36-46 record overall and an 18-19 record in home games. The Mets are fourth in the NL with 100 total home runs, averaging 1.2 per game.San Francisco is 23-17 in road games and 46-36 overall. The Giants have a 24-6 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Saturday’s game is the sixth time these teams square off this season. The Giants are up 3-2 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Pete Alonso has six doubles, a triple, 24 home runs and 55 RBI for the Mets. Brandon Nim...

Padres take on the Reds looking to end road skid

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:39:09 GMT

San Diego Padres (37-45, fourth in the NL West) vs. Cincinnati Reds (44-38, first in the NL Central)Cincinnati; Saturday, 1:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Michael Wacha (7-2, 2.90 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 69 strikeouts); Reds: Brandon Williamson (1-1, 5.82 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 29 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -163, Reds +139; over/under is 11 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres visit the Cincinnati Reds looking to break a four-game road slide.Cincinnati has gone 22-20 in home games and 44-38 overall. The Reds are 33-19 in games when they record eight or more hits.San Diego has a 17-23 record in road games and a 37-45 record overall. The Padres have the eighth-best team ERA in the majors at 3.85.The matchup Saturday is the fifth time these teams meet this season. The season series is tied 2-2.TOP PERFORMERS: Jake Fraley has nine doubles, 11 home runs and 50 RBI for the Reds. Matt McLain is 12-for-45 with four doubles and four home runs over the last 10 games.Fernando Tat...