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The year ahead in 54 minutes

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:38 GMT

Listen on Spotify Apple Music Google Play EN_Google_Podcasts_Badge Created with Sketch. Acast Amazon Music For the final episode of the year, host Jack Blanchard and a series of expert guests look ahead to 2024 and what is certain to be an extraordinary year of world politics.The Spectator’s Katy Balls and the Times’ Patrick Maguire survey the election prospects of Rishi...

At least 5 US-funded projects in Gaza are damaged or destroyed, but most are spared

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:38 GMT

Less than a year before a Hamas attack out of Gaza sparked a war, one of the oldest and largest sports complexes in the Palestinian territories got a much-needed overhaul: brand-new basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, a soccer field, a running track and, for the first time, accessible bathrooms. It was a $519,000 upgrade, funded by United States taxpayers.Now, the roof of the Gaza Sports Club appears to be shredded to ribbons, its AstroTurf field crushed under the weight of massive tanks that can be seen in satellite photos obtained by The Associated Press.Since early October, at least five U.S.-funded community and youth projects in Gaza appear to have been damaged or destroyed, likely by the U.S.-backed Israeli military. However, both in the past and now, Israeli strikes in Gaza appear to have largely spared major infrastructure projects funded by the U.S. government, which has shared their GPS coordinates and other details with the Israeli military for years.Israel’s offens...

Key takeaways from AP report on US-funded projects in Gaza that were damaged or destroyed

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:38 GMT

Since Israel launched its offensive in Gaza following a deadly Hamas attack on Oct. 7, tens of thousands of buildings have been destroyed. Although most major U.S.-funded infrastructure in Gaza has been spared, an AP analysis of satellite imagery has found at least five sites built or expanded with U.S. taxpayer funds appear to have been damaged. Meanwhile, the U.S. government is sending billions of dollars to bolster the Israeli military as it continues its bombardment of the Gaza Strip.1. The U.S. shares coordinates of U.S.-funded infrastructure with Israeli officials.According to past USAID mission directors for Gaza and the West Bank, USAID works closely with Israeli officials to ensure that U.S.-funded infrastructure is spared during conflicts. Dave Harden, who served as USAID mission director from 2013 to 2016, said he worked “extremely closely” with the Israeli officials. “I would give them the coordinates and tell them not to hit it,” he said.2. Despite coordination, some U....

Prized pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto agrees with Dodgers on $325 million deal, according to reports

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:38 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prized free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a $325 million, 12-year contract, according to multiple reports.Yamamoto is set to join Japanese countryman Shohei Ohtani with the Dodgers, who signed the two-way superstar to a record $700 million, 10-year deal last week.The Dodgers did not confirm the agreement with Yamamoto on Thursday night. MLB.com and ESPN were among the outlets citing anonymous sources in reporting the deal.The New York Yankees and New York Mets were among the many clubs that pursued Yamamoto.It’s the third major pitching coup for the NL West champion Dodgers this offseason. In addition to Ohtani, the team signed right-hander Tyler Glasnow to a $136.5 million, five-year contract after he was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to Los Angeles.Ohtani made a video pitch to Glasnow to join him in Hollywood.“It was important to Shohei that this wasn’t the one move we were going to make,” Dodgers Presid...

The Blue Mediterranean partnership: Advancing a sustainable future

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:38 GMT

At the recent COP28 in Dubai, we made concrete progress in our global efforts to combat climate change and protect our shared environment. For the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), a key moment at COP28 was the signing of the Blue Mediterranean Partnership (BMP) Statement of Intent, which signifies a cooperation agreement, with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Commission (EC), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) as well as other donors and beneficiary countries. Central to the BMP is its Cooperation Fund, which represents a pivotal step towards a more sustainable future for the southern Mediterranean and Red Sea regions by initially mobilising an estimated €1 billion in investments for Blue Economy projects. Significantly, the UfM, which was one of the first champions of this vital initiative, will serve as a member of its governanc...

Thieves steal thousands of dollars worth of music equipment from L.A. band

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:38 GMT

Video shows thieves smashing a vehicle's windows and stealing thousands of dollars worth of professional music equipment in Hollywood.The victim, Louise Van Veenedaal, is the lead singer of a local band called BoomBox Heroes. The 12-piece band performs at weddings, events and sports games. On Dec. 18 at around 2 a.m., surveillance video captured thieves entering a gated parking garage at an apartment complex and peering into people’s vehicles.The two suspects then narrow in on Van Veenedaal’s car, a custom pink Tesla SUV. “They left, apparently they stole a car, broke into the garage through the garage gate, smashed into the back of my Tesla with axes,” Van Veenedaal recalled. “They had masks on and took pretty much everything that I have.” Surveillance footage of two suspects smashing an SUV's windows and stealing thousands of dollars worth of music equipment in a Hollywood parking garage on Dec. 18, 2023. (Louise Van Veenedaal)Surveillance footage of two suspects wanted for a...

Sharks unable to slow down Coyotes, now on longest losing streak since start of season

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:38 GMT

SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks thought they had momentum on their side after Anthony Duclair scored on a second-period breakaway to knot up Thursday night’s game with the Arizona Coyotes.Clayton Keller snatched that momentum right back for the Coyotes, scoring on a breakaway slightly more than two minutes after Duclair’s goal at the 6:20 mark.Alex Kerfoot’s goal later in the second period turned out to be the winner as Arizona handed the Sharks a 5-2 loss before an announced sellout crowd of 17,435 at SAP Center.Filip Zadina snapped a 14-game goal drought just 26 seconds into the third period, as his fourth of the season cut Arizona’s lead to 3-2. But with Nikita Okhotiuk serving an interference penalty, Nick Schmaltz, stationed in the slot, took a pass from Kerfoot and beat Sharks goalie Mackenzie Blackwood for his 10th of the season.Blackwood finished with 25 saves as the Sharks lost their fourth straight game, their longest skid since they began the season with 11 consecutive los...

Lindholm scores, DeSimone nets first goal, and Markstrom wins 200th as Flames top Ducks 3-0

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:38 GMT

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Elias Lindholm had a goal and two assists, Jacob Markstrom made 27 saves for his 200th career win and the Calgary Flames extended their winning streak to a season-best three games with a 3-0 victory Thursday night over the Anaheim Ducks.Nick DeSimone scored his first career goal 2:24 into the opening period and A.J. Greer also scored as the Flames ended a four-game road losing streak.“I thought it was a complete game and our penalty kill, I can’t praise them enough,” said Markstrom after Calgary killed off four Anaheim power plays. “There were how many shot blocks and big-time plays that they do so I think that was a big difference tonight. All four lines were rolling.”Lukas Dostal made 41 saves for Anaheim, which had won two in a row. Ducks goalie John Gibson was available but occupied a backup role after missing a game this week following the birth of his child.Forward Mason McTavish and defenseman Jamie Drysdale both returned to the ice for the Ducks....

Jones scores 21, five in clutch, to lead Washington State past Boise State 66-61

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:38 GMT

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Isaac Jones scored 21 points, including five in the final minute and a half, and Washington State outlasted Boise State 66-61 on Thursday night at the Spokane Arena.A three-point play by Jones gave the Cougars a 62-58 lead with 1:27 remaining but Boise State’s Chibuzo Agbo nailed a 3-pointer on the next possession. After a WSU turnover and a Boise State miss from close range, Kymany Houinsou made two free throws for a three-point WSU lead. Boise State’s Max Rice then missed a 3-pointer and Jones finished off the win with a pair of free throws.Boise State scored the first eight points of the second half to erase a six-point deficit and take a 35-33 lead. There would be nine ties and seven more lead changes by game’s end.Myles Rice scored 14 points for the Cougars (9-2). Andrej Jakimovski grabbed 13 rebounds. Washington State had a 15-2 advantage in bench points, thanks mostly to Jabe Mullins with 13 points.O’Mar Stanley had 23 points, Tyson Deg...

Clayton Keller scores in 3rd consecutive game as Coyotes beat Sharks 5-2

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:38 GMT

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Clayton Keller scored his third goal in three games and the Arizona Coyotes beat the San Jose Sharks 5-2 on Thursday night to extend their win streak to four.Keller, who leads the Coyotes in points, got his 12th goal of the season in the second period as part of a three-point night. He took a lead pass from Alex Kerfoot in the attacking zone and broke in alone on Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, beating him through the legs with a backhand. Keller and Kerfoot both had a goal and two assists, and Michael Kesselring and Lawson Crouse also scored for Arizona. Karel Vejmelka made 29 saves in the win.Anthony Duclair and Filip Zadina scored for the Sharks, who have lost four straight and entered the day tied with Chicago for the fewest points in the NHL.The Coyotes, in the thick of the playoff picture, are on a hot streak after dropping four straight earlier this month. It was Arizona’s second win over San Jose in a week, with the Coyotes blanking the S...