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North Korea’s Kim orders military to ‘thoroughly annihilate’ US, South Korea if provoked

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:54 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his military to “thoroughly annihilate” the United States and South Korea if provoked, state media reported Monday, after he vowed to boost national defenses to cope with what he called an unprecedented U.S.-led confrontation.Kim is expected to ramp up weapons tests in 2024 ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November. Many experts say he likely believes his expanded nuclear arsenal would allow him to wrest U.S. concessions if former President Donald Trump is reelected.In a five-day major ruling party meeting last week, Kim said he will launch three more military spy satellites, produce more nuclear materials and develop attack drones this year in what observers say is an attempt to increase his leverage in future diplomacy with the U.S.In a meeting on Sunday with commanding army officers, Kim said it is urgent to sharpen “the treasured sword” to safeguard national security, an apparent reference to his country...

Nedeljkovic stops 36 shots, Eller scores twice to help surging Penguins edge Islanders 3-1

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:54 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Alex Nedeljkovic made 36 saves, Lars Eller scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins held off the New York Islanders 3-1 on Sunday night.Nedeljkovic was spectacular at times to help the Penguins win for the fifth time in six games following a blowout loss to Toronto on Dec. 16. Eller scored early in the first period and added an empty-netter in the final minute as Pittsburgh beat the Islanders for the second time in five days. Noel Acciari added third of the season for Pittsburgh.Samuel Bolduc drew the Islanders within one with 6:09 left with the third goal of his career but New York could get no closer. Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves.Pittsburgh has at least a point in each of its last six games and is 7-1-1 over its last nine to climb into wild-card contention as the season’s midway point nears following an iffy start.A power play that’s emerged from a month-long funk has helped. So has the steady play in net of Tristan Jarry and Nedeljkovic, who has bounce...

Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon back at practice after dog bite, hopes to play Monday against Hornets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:54 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Power forward Aaron Gordon rejoined the Denver Nuggets for practice Sunday, a week after he was bitten by his pet Rottweiler, leaving him with 21 stitches across his right shooting hand and face.Gordon told The Denver Post he feels he’s ready to return to action Monday night when the Nuggets host the Charlotte Hornets.Coach Michael Malone said Gordon looked good at practice Sunday, “but we’ll see how he’s feeling tomorrow with the hand.”Gordon said his 4-year-old dog, which he adopted at six weeks, had been in the care of family members because of the travel demands of the NBA schedule and that he was playing with his dog following the Nuggets’ win over the Warriors on Christmas Day when he was bitten.Gordon said he’d “probably had a little too much eggnog” and was “kind of roughhousing with my dog, and I think my dog got a little excited and just basically chomped down.”Most of Gordon’s 21 stitches are on his right hand, but he’s also scarred n...

Steelers keep playoff hopes alive into Week 18 with 30-23 win over Seahawks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:54 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — The punishing runs from Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren and a handful of clutch throws from Mason Rudolph have lifted the Pittsburgh Steelers into the final week of the regular season with their playoff hopes still alive. Harris rushed for a season-high 122 yards and bullied his way into the end zone for a pair of touchdowns, and the Steelers took their playoff hopes into Week 18 with a 30-23 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.Using a physical running attack that faced little resistance from Seattle, the Steelers (9-7) pushed their way into the final week of the regular season with a chance at the postseason after two straight wins and ensured that Mike Tomlin’s team would yet again avoid a losing record.“We got to win out. This is kind of playoffs for us, so us executing right now is kind of the biggest thing,” Harris said. Harris had not hit the century mark rushing this season, his closest coming when he ran for 99 yards against Cincinnati. But he combined with...

Branden Carlson scores 27 of 34 in 2nd half, Utah rallies to beat Washington 95-90

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:54 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Branden Carlson scored 27 of his career-high 34 points in the second half and Gabe Madsen had a double-double to help Utah rally from a 15-point deficit and beat Washington 95-90 Sunday. Carlson made 14 of 23 from the field, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range, and finished with seven rebounds and seven assists and Madsen had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Rollie Worster had 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals for Utah (11-2, 2-0 Pac-12).The Utes have won eight games in a row since suffering back-to-back losses to No. 3 Houston and St. John’s in mid-November. Madsen hit two 3s while Deivon Smith and Keba Keita each scored five points in a 17-6 run that gave Utah a one-point lead, its first since midway through the first half. Wilhelm Breidenbach made 1-of-2 free throws put the Huskies in front 69-68 with 8:47 to play but Carlson hit a 3-pointer 17 seconds later and the Utes trailed the rest of the way. Carlson scored 16 points in the final seven mi...

Collins, Rivers help No. 3 North Carolina State take charge after half in 72-61 victory at Virginia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:54 GMT

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Mimi Collins scored 25 points and Saniya Rivers had 10 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists as No. 3 North Carolina State pulled away after halftime and beat Virginia 72-61 on Sunday night.River Baldwin added 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Wolfpack (13-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who trailed 32-31 at halftime, but scored 12 of the first 13 points in the third period. “We had a lot of different people chip in and contribute,” Wolfpack coach Wes Moore said, with Rivers doing her damage after missing the last three games.“It doesn’t surprise me,” Moore said. “I’ve got high expectations for that girl.”The Wolfpack outscored Virginia 23-8 in the third quarter, showing the same focus as in their previous game 11 days ago, when their 51 second-half points were more than Old Dominion managed in an 87-50 loss.“We felt like we wanted to get the ball inside some,” Moore said of the halftime focus, reasoning that they could either get close-in ...

WATCH LIVE: New Year’s Eve 2023 in Times Square

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:54 GMT

With 2024 just around the corner, hordes of celebrants have made their way into Times Square in anticipation of the iconic New York City ball drop.From all around the world, thousands have gathered here to bring in 2024.See a live stream of the New Year’s Eve Times Square festivities and ball drop below. (Courtesy Times Square Alliance)Source

A lithium-ion battery fire in a cargo ship’s hold is out after several days of burning

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:54 GMT

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — After lithium-ion batteries burned in a large cargo ship’s hold for a number of days, the U.S. Coast Guard said late Saturday that the fire was out and directed the ship to anchor near Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The 19 crew members of the ship, Genius Star XI, were uninjured and technicians from the Salvage and Marine Firefighting team remain onboard to ensure the fire doesn’t return, according to a Coast Guard press release.“This protected anchorage … will allow the vessel to remain stable, minimizing risk of any re-flash of the fire as we continue our response,” Capt. Chris Culpepper said in the press release, which said an investigation into the fire’s origins will begin once response efforts wrap up. Genius Star XI was shipping lithium-ion batteries from Vietnam to San Diego. The crew alerted the Coast Guard early Thursday morning to the fire, after pumping carbon dioxide into hold No. 1 — where the blaze began — and sealing it, ...

New Year’s Eve sweeps across the globe, but wars cast a shadow on 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:54 GMT

Revelers counted down to midnight on New Year’s Eve across the globe Sunday as fireworks and festive lights offered a hopeful start to 2024 for some, even as the world’s ongoing conflicts subdued celebrations and raised security concerns.In Australia, more than 1 million people watched a pyrotechnic display centered around Sydney’s famous Opera House and harbor bridge — a number of spectators equivalent to one in five of the city’s residents.“It’s total madness,” said German tourist Janna Thomas, who waited in line since 7:30 a.m. to secure a prime waterfront location.Some 90,000 police and security officers were deployed around France including along Champs-Elysees Avenue, where large crowds took in a multidimensional light show projected onto the Arc de Triomphe showcasing the history of Paris and sports on the menu for next year’s Summer Olympics in the city. In New York, people lined up early to nab a spot in Times Square for the midnight ball drop. Officials a...

Local law enforcement beefing up presence for NYE celebrations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:54 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- With New Year’s Eve celebrations in full swing, law enforcement agencies across the state are beefing up their presence to keep everyone safe.  The Denver Police Department tells FOX31 they are aware of the various event around Denver and will have a visible presence in the area where New Year’s Eve celebrations are taking place.  98 Degrees looks to heat up 2024 with first new single in a decade, NYE performance in Las Vegas At the Downtown Denver Ice Rink, visitors and those who call Colorado home are ringing in the new year together.  “We’re coming from Miami,” Isabella Mundo said. “I love it. I don’t think I could live in the cold weather, but for the vacation I love it.” From beginners to advanced skaters, the city ice rink attracts those from all over. “I first started skating when I was four,” Dylan Zhou said. “It’s fun. It’s also a workout.”  But for those staying out late, the Colorado State Patrol is reminding people to plan...