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EU agrees to open membership negotiations with Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:28 GMT

By Raf Casert and Samuel Petrequin | Associated PressBRUSSELS — The European Union decided Thursday to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, a momentous moment and stunning reversal for a country at war that had struggled to find the backing for its membership aspirations and long faced obstinate opposition from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.European Council President Charles Michel, who was chairing a Brussels summit of the EU’s 27 leaders where the decision was made, called it “a clear signal of hope for their people and our continent.”Although the process between opening negotiations and Ukraine finally becoming a member could take many years, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the agreement as “a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe.”“History is made by those who don’t get tired of fighting for freedom,” Zelenskyy said.Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said it also was a black eye for Ru...

New-look SF Giants Fan Fest includes stop in San Jose

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:28 GMT

Following two mediocre seasons on the field and at the box office, the San Francisco Giants are motivated to re-energize their fan base.One effort is apparently to spice up their annual preseason event, Fan Fest. The event — hosted in conjunction with KNBR-680, their flagship radio station — is no longer a one-day blowout at Oracle Park, but rather a four-city tour across the Bay Area to drum up excitement. The experience will pop up in Sacramento on Jan. 20, San Jose on Jan. 27, Napa on Feb. 3 and finish at Oracle Park on March 9.At each stop, fans will have opportunities to interact with former and current Giants, collect autographs and get merchandise. The Giants announced the details of the reimagined Fan Fest on Thursday morning.Rookie pitcher Kyle Harrison and new hitting coach Pat Burrell will headline the San Jose event, which is set to take place at San Pedro Square Market. Other Giants players and coaches will join them from 4 to 7 p.m. for meet-and-greets and Q&A sess...

On-ramps of multiple highways in San Jose closed due to fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:28 GMT

(KRON) -- Crews are responding to a grass fire between Parkmoor Avenue and I-280 in San Jose on Thursday afternoon, the San Jose Fire Department said on X. Officials said the fire is approximately one acre, and forward progress (spreading of the fire) has been stopped. As of 3:30 p.m., the on-ramps from I-280 northbound to CA-17 southbound and I-880 northbound are currently shut down. Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes. Overturned big rig on Hwy 101 in San Jose causes traffic delay (SJFD)(SJFD)No structures are threatened by the fire, SJPD said. No injuries have been reported. This is a developing story.

SF Bay Area rents are down in these cities

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:28 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Rental prices have dipped in the San Francisco Bay Area -- and some areas seeing steeper drops than others. Real estate agents say the holidays are typically the best time to take advantage of lower rent and added perks because most people aren't interested in a move and are instead traveling this time of year.One San Francisco real estate agent said city centers are seeing the most dramatic reduction in rent prices due to downtowns being hit hard by vacancies.At the Gateway Apartments near the San Francisco Embarcadero, rent prices have dropped as low as $2,600. At the same complex seven years ago, studios were going for a minimum of about $3,000. New California laws bring changes to housing in 2024 A quick search online turned up studios in San Francisco going for as low as $1,350 near Union Square. Nick Chen with Coldwell Banker stresses it's really the high rises in places like South Beach and SoMA, the densely populated areas, that are seeing the lowes...

Council member says he tried to ‘sound the alarm’ months ago that Wizards, Caps could leave DC

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:28 GMT

Council member Charles Allen, Chair of the City Council Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety, holds a hearing on Sept., 25, 2018 in Washington, DC.(Photo by Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images)Following the announcement of a deal that would move the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals to Alexandria in 2028, D.C. leaders continue to speak out about how the relocation would negatively impact the District.The deal between Monumental Sports and Entertainment owner Ted Leonsis and Virginia still allows him to continue to bargain with D.C. if he chooses to.WTOP anchors Shawn Anderson and Anne Kramer spoke to D.C. Council man Charles Allen, who said he started talking in August about repairs needed at Capital One and what it would mean for D.C. if the repairs weren’t completed. toggle audio on and off change volume ...

In first news conference with Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani dodges questions on Tommy John surgery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:28 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani opened his first news conference with the Los Angeles Dodgers by dodging questions about whether he had a second Tommy John surgery.“It was a procedure. I’m not sure what it was called,” Ohtani said Thursday.Speaking to media for the first time since Aug. 9, he also refused to say what other teams he negotiated with before the agreement last weekend on a record $700 million contract.“I just can’t wait to join the team and get it going,” he said through translator Ippei Mizuhara.Ohtani did, however, reveal the name of his dog, seen on his lap when he appeared on the MLB Network for the announcement of his second MVP award on Nov. 16. The dog has the American name “Decoy” but also has a Japanese name.He wore a navy business suit with a white shirt and blue tie, took off the jacket and put on a Dodgers home jersey with No. 17 and then the blue cap with the interlocking L&A. He took off the cap before speaking.He was impressed when Dodgers offi...

Former Michigan GOP spokesperson testifies fake elector defendants were misled

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:28 GMT

A former communications director for the Michigan GOP testified Thursday that he believes an attorney for then-President Donald Trump’s campaign “took advantage” of some of the 15 Republicans who face forgery and another charges for allegedly serving as false electors.Anthony Zammit testified during the second day of a preliminary hearing for six of the defendants in a Lansing, Michigan, courtroom.Investigators have said the group signed a document during a meeting at the Michigan Republican headquarters on Dec. 14, 2020, falsely stating they were the state’s “duly elected and qualified electors.” Zammit said that in January 2022 he contacted then-U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, who was vice chair of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol Building, and a reporter because he believed that “the entire truth” in the electors’ case had not come out.“I thought that several of the people that were involved in this, they weren’t implicated and that a lot o...

Vikings and Bengals will try to stay in the playoff picture when the 7-6 teams face off Saturday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:28 GMT

CINCINNATI (AP) — The winner of Saturday’s game between the Vikings and Bengals will stay in the crowded playoff picture — at least for now. The loser could be in trouble.The matchup of the 7-6 teams — both relying on backup quarterbacks to get them to the playoffs — is as close to a must-win as either has played this season.The Bengals are in the middle of a crowd of six AFC teams with 7-6 records. A loss to Minnesota would leave their postseason aspirations in tough shape.“Yeah, this is a big one that we really need,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “I’m sure that (the Vikings) feel the exact same way. It’s just really the way the league is set up this year. It’s interesting for the fans, it keeps everybody involved, and everyone’s got a lot to play for. And I think ultimately, we’re in a position — I think Minnesota is in a position — to where you keep controlling what you can control, and good things will happen.”The Vikings have a one-game lead over a pack of NFC teams that are ...

3 hospitalized after being hit by car near Montgomery Co. courthouse

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:28 GMT

Three people were injured after they were hit by a vehicle Thursday afternoon near a courthouse in Rockville, Maryland.Police said the crash happened around 2:30 p.m. on East Montgomery Avenue near the Montgomery County Circuit Courthouse.Rockville City Police say all three people were taken to the hospital with varying injuries.It is also unclear whether the driver of the striking vehicle remained on the scene.The people hit by the car said the driver was on “the other side” of a criminal case they were involved with, according to a source speaking with our partners at 7News.Below is a map of where the crash happened: This story is developing. Check back with WTOP for the latest. Source

¿Qué implica el protocolo antibloqueos de Argentina anunciado por Bullrich?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:28 GMT

(CNN Español) — La ministra de Seguridad de Argentina, Patricia Bullrich, anunció este jueves un protocolo para protestas con cortes de calles y bloqueos que impiden la circulación en la vía pública ―denominados comúnmente en el país como piquetes—. Se trata de sus primeros anuncios de gestión, abordando uno de los puntos más debatidos en los últimos meses, y en línea con las promesas de campaña y con la plataforma electoral del gobierno del presidente Javier Milei.La funcionaria dijo que el protocolo busca “garantizar el orden público” frente a este tipo de protestas habituales en el país que, según dijo en conferencia de prensa, “sufren empresas e impiden a los argentinos vivir en paz”.Bullrich explicó que las cuatro fuerzas federales ―Policía Federal, Gendarmería Nacional, Prefectura y Policía de Seguridad Aeroportuaria (PSA)― podrán intervenir, de acuerdo con los códigos procesales vigentes, en caso de delito. Pidió a las fuerzas provinciales que ap...