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Kyiv’s Motherland monument gets a makeover — but at what cost?

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:13:44 GMT

KYIV — Ukrainians are always looking for ways to give the middle finger to Russia. But many locals are now asking if radically altering the iconic Motherland monument to remove a hammer and sickle is the best way of using the country’s wartime resources.The 62-meter-tall statue of a woman — affectionally known locally as Baba — has stood atop a hill on the right bank of Kyiv since 1981. Sternly looking east, she holds a 16-meter-long sword in her right hand and an eight-meter-long shield in her left. But there’s a problem for a country at war: on the shield are the hammer and sickle, the symbols of the industrial worker and the peasant used as the emblem of the former Soviet Union.On Sunday, workers started dismantling the Soviet emblem — piece by piece.“We wanted to watch, but they did not allow us to come close for security reasons,” Viktoria Andrienko, a Ukrainian woman who arrived to watch the dismantling process with her family on Monday, told PO...

Ukraine’s plan if Russia assassinates Zelenskyy

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:13:44 GMT

Jamie Dettmer is opinion editor at POLITICO Europe. WASHINGTON — When Volodymyr Zelenskyy was asked whether he was worried by Russian attempts to kill him, he answered he couldn’t afford to be.“If I were thinking about it constantly, I would just shut myself down, very much like Putin now who doesn’t leave his bunker,” the Ukrainian leader said in an interview with CNN last month. “Of course, my bodyguards should think how to prevent this from happening, and this is their task. I don’t think about it.”While it’s a question Zelenskyy understandably isn’t eager to contemplate, it’s also one his supporters at home and abroad can’t afford to ignore. Ever since he rebuffed an evacuation offer by telling his would-be American rescuers “I need ammunition, not a ride,” the Ukrainian president has played a key role in mustering international support for the fight against Russia.No wonder Russian lawmakers and ultra-nationalist military bloggers have formed a chorus demanding he be targe...

Germany learns to be a team player

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:13:44 GMT

Benjamin Tallis is a senior research fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations, where he heads the “Action Group Zeitenwende.”With Germany under pressure to deliver on its stuttering Zeitenwende — the promised sea change in its defense policy — any progress is now welcome. And this is the view not just in Berlin, but in all allied capitals where policymakers understand what such a change could mean for NATO and European defense.It’s true that Germany has come a long way since February 2022, moving from the shameful 5,000 helmets to become a major supplier of heavy weapons to Ukraine. Yet, this has largely been in response to severe pressure from allies. And, too often, Berlin has continued to act alone in its naked and short-term self-interest, which has repeatedly aggravated its partners and will do Germany no favors in the long-term.Therefore, it’s refreshing that a new procurement deal for Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) seems to show that Germany is learning lessons. This deal ...

Father, daughter share story of survival after plane crash in Stow

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:13:44 GMT

A father and daughter who survived a plane crash in Stow earlier this month are now back home, continuing their recoveries just over a week after the crash that sent the two of them and a family member to the hospital. The crash happened on Sunday, July 23. On Monday, Rob Bauer and his daughter, Daniela Bauer, spoke to 7NEWS, remembering the terrifying moment their pilot told them their plan was going down.“We were getting pretty close to the trees,” Daniela said. “He was funny, he said ‘I can’t go back up. We’re just going to have to have a crash landing.’” Daniela continued, saying the last thing she remembers from the crash was the front of the plane hitting the trees. “I don’t know if I had more than a couple of seconds to get ready,” Rob said. “That’s when panic set in. I saw lots of green and impact and then I blacked out.” Stow emergency officials in a statement said they responded to the area of Taylor Road near Minute Man Air Field around 1 p.m. on July 23 af...

Two people taken to hospital after shooting in Boston

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:13:44 GMT

Boston police were investigating Monday night after a report of shots fired near the intersection of School Street and Arcadia Street, police said. A Boston police spokesperson said emergency crews responded around 9:30 p.m. after a report of two people shot. The spokesperson said two people were later taken to Boston Medical Center for treatment. There was no information immediately available on the condition of the people who were hurt. Police said there were no arrests as of Monday night and their investigation was ongoing. Police were spotted at one point circling the neighborhood around the shooting site with K9s. Police cleared the scene shortly before 10:20 p.m.This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Chicago Cubs acquire third baseman Jeimer Candelario from Washington Nationals for two prospects to add needed power

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:13:44 GMT

The Cubs have made their first trade deadline move.The organization acquired infielder Jeimer Candelario and a cash consideration from the Washington Nationals two prospects, left-hander DJ Herz and infielder Kevin Made, before Monday’s game.The switch-hitting Candelario gives the Cubs much-needed power as the best rental bat available on the trade market. In 99 games with the Nationals this year, Candelario, who is a free agent after the season, has hit 30 doubles and 16 home runs with a 128 OPS+.Although Candelario has predominately played third base during his eight big-league seasons, he’s also started 60 games at first base, most recently for the Tigers in 2020. His defensive flexibility at the corner infield spots can help the Cubs’ two weakest offensive positions.The Cubs have especially struggled with quality production at first base. Five players have been used there this year, combining for minus-2.7 Wins Above Replacement with Trey Mancini owning a team-...

Yankees Notebook: Domingo Germán scratched with armpit discomfort, then pitches in relief

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:13:44 GMT

The Yankees’ Domingo Germán was scratched from his scheduled start Monday after experiencing armpit discomfort a day earlier, but in a surprise move, he ended up pitching in the game anyway.Germán entered in the fifth inning against the Rays in relief of Jhony Brito, who had been called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make the spot start at Yankee Stadium.The discomfort prevented Germán from playing catch on Sunday, manager Aaron Boone said.“He felt better by the end of [Sunday],” Boone said before Monday’s game. “He feels good today, but we just didn’t feel like we could risk sending him out there, and then if we have to pull the plug in the first inning or something, it would put us in a tough situation.”Germán didn’t experience any discomfort during his previous outing — when he surrendered six runs in a loss to the Mets last Tuesday — or in his subsequent bullpen session, Boone said. The ri...

Millennial Money: Mystery travel lets you focus on the fun, not the details

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:13:44 GMT

Travel planning can be a real chore. Booking flights, deciding on the right hotel and building an itinerary might be fun for some, but others dread it. That’s why some travelers are opting for an unorthodox travel strategy that eliminates the planning stage altogether. It’s called “mystery” or “suprise” travel, and the destination isn’t revealed until the day of departure.This idea isn’t new. Some friend groups plan regular mystery travel vacations, with one person or family planning and booking the itinerary for everyone else.Lanie van der Horst, a travel blogger, asked her husband to plan a trip. He decided to keep the destination — Byron Bay, Australia — a secret.“I literally cried when he told me that he had a trip planned that I didn’t have to think about,” van der Horst says.LET A TRAVEL COMPANY PLAN YOUR TRIPAs these surprise trips have become more popular, travel booking companies have begun offering them. Customers pay a flat fee for the trip and set certain guidelines such...

Watch: Man hits hole-in-one at golf tournament honoring late stepson

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:13:44 GMT

GENEVA, Ill. (WGN) — It's always special to hit a hole-in-one on the golf course. For one man, a recent ace was even more special. Hundreds of golfers teed off at Eagle Brook Country Club in Geneva, Illinois on Monday as part of the seventh-annual charity golf tournament hosted by Jay's Hope. It was created by the family of Jay Burger, who passed away in 2016. Burger, described as a kind and generous soul, died at the age of 24 after being diagnosed with bone cancer and undergoing 20 grueling months of surgery and cancer treatments. Now, the non-profit foundation looks to support others like Burger. "The entire mission of the organization is to offer hope and support to college students who are battling cancer," Burger's mother, Kelly Jo Golson, explained." Pee-wee Herman star Paul Reubens dies at age 70 after cancer fight Burger's family and friends were among those who attended Monday's golf tournament. That includes his stepfather, Mark Golson, who described Burger as someone ...

Man accused of ‘intentionally hitting' 6 migrant workers with SUV in custody: Police

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:13:44 GMT

LINCOLNTON, N.C. (WJZY) — A man has been taken into custody after authorities say he intentionally struck six migrant workers in a North Carolina parking lot over the weekend. Lincolnton Police confirmed Monday night that the suspect — described only as an older white man — is in custody. The FBI's Charlotte office confirmed to Nexstar's WJZY they are assisting Lincolnton Police with their investigation into the incident, which took place Sunday. According to authorities, an older dark-colored SUV turned in front of a bus, crossed over a divider, and struck a group of migrant workers who were standing on the divider. The vehicle could then be seen leaving the scene as people rushed to help the victims.Six people suffered non-life-threatening injuries. They have all since been released from the hospital. Police said Sunday that the incident "appears to be an intentional assault with a vehicle." The moment was captured on security video, which Lincolnton Police released in the hopes o...