Sanctions against Russia and what the G7 may do to fortify them

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:29:24 GMT

Sanctions against Russia and what the G7 may do to fortify them HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — The Group of Seven advanced economies are expected to announce a new set of sanctions against Russia to try to further hinder its war effort in Ukraine during their summit in Hiroshima, Japan.In traveling to Japan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will help to drive home the need to better enforce measures meant to stifle Moscow’s war machine. Russia is now the most-sanctioned country in the world, but there are questions about their effectiveness. EU Council President Charles Michel said the plan was to close loopholes and ensure the sanctions are painful for Russia, not for the countries enforcing them. Here’s a look at what may be next, the sanctions so far, and the impact they have had on Russia’s economy and military effort.WHAT THE G7 MIGHT DOMichel said the 27-nation EU was focused on “shutting the door on loopholes and continuing to cut Russia off from critical supplies.” It is working on a plan to restrict trade in Russian diamonds...

Twins claw back but fall 5-4 to Angels in series opener

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:29:24 GMT

Twins claw back but fall 5-4 to Angels in series opener ANAHEIM, Calif. — Hundreds of feet away from the action, in the bullpen in left field, Jhoan Duran was readying himself in the seventh inning.It would seem he was preparing to face superstar Shohei Ohtani.Except he didn’t.Twins manager Rocco Baldelli opted to let Griffin Jax face Ohtani, after he had already given up a single and a triple, wiping away the Twins’ one-run advantage. Jax’s 3-2 pitch to the star came close to clipping the corner, but instead, was ball four.Jax was left to face the next hitter, too, surrendering the go-ahead run on a Hunter Renfroe single in the Twins’ eventual 5-4 loss on Friday night at Angel Stadium.The late Angels comeback came on a night where the Twins had stormed back against starter Reid Detmers after spending most of his start doing little but swinging and missing at his offerings.They did so 24 different times — mostly chasing after his slider — as he tied a career high with 12 strikeouts.It took them until the sixth inning to collect their fir...

South Jeffco: A chance to create a custom home on an acre-plus site beside Bear Creek Greenbelt

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:29:24 GMT

South Jeffco: A chance to create a custom home on an acre-plus site beside Bear Creek Greenbelt See custom sites today at Sundance at Bear CreekWhat: Sundance at Bear Creek Greenbelt by Kurowski Custom Homes & Remodeling, one-acre-plus home sitesWhere: 8855 W. Bear Creek Dr., Lakewood. From S. Wadsworth Blvd take Yale Ave. west along Bear Creek Greenbelt, 0.7 mile to Estes St., left (south) on Estes past the trailhead to entry.Price: Finished custom home and acre-plus site from $2.9MWhen: Sunday, May 21, noon until 3 p.m.Phone: Set an appointment: 303-726-5990Phone: John Kurowski: 303-303-594-7040 or 303-972-8680More Info: Sundance.Kurowski.comFrom the raw suburban landscape that wrapped Denver in the early 1950s, no area disappeared to developers quite so fast as Jefferson County—the prettiest suburbs, closest to the parks and foothills, and equally close to the entertainment attractions Denver would come to offer.Builder John Kurowski still has a couple of acre-plus home sites that show off all of those attractions—each of them totally secluded, with views of Mt. ...

Study shows Coloradans really love Modern Farmhouse style

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:29:24 GMT

Study shows Coloradans really love Modern Farmhouse style The Modern Farmhouse design is the most popular home style in Colorado and 31 other states.Hovia, a British wallpaper designer, analyzed Google Trends data using 575 search terms relating to 25 interior design styles to reveal the most popular style in each state.And Coloradans, like most Americans, like the Modern Farmhouse look.The design merges traditional rural style with a sophisticated, contemporary flair by using smooth lines and a neutral color palette, stainless steel appliances, sleek lighting fixtures, and granite countertops.TV home makeover shows and social media helped popularize the modern country vibe. It pays homage to classic and traditional aspects of homes that have been passed down for generations.Coloradans ready to renovatePerhaps because more people are staying in their homes, more homeowners are exploring options to renovate and improve their houses.Data compiled by Contractor Growth Network analyzed search terms related to home renovations, extensions, and ...

Critics say new Indiana Jones film is dull and unexciting

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:29:24 GMT

Critics say new Indiana Jones film is dull and unexciting Critics got their first look at “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” at the Cannes Film Festival - and the reviews were mixedHarrison Ford reprises his role for a fifth and final adventure - a race against time to find a legendary dial that will change the course of history. IGN’s Siddhant Adlakha referred to the film’s action as dull, unexciting, and impactful. “Dial of Destiny lumbers from scene to scene, with action that never quite manages to be exciting,” he wrote. “The action in Dial of Destiny is dull by comparison, whizzing by too quickly to land, and with physics too cartoony to leave a lasting impact.” Although David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter claims the film sends a “sweet blast of pure nostalgia” and “a reminder of how much fun those early movies were,” he also argues that it was hard to enjoy because of “how glaringly fake so much of it looks.” “The more the films have come to rely on a digital paintbrush, the less hair-raising their adventures...

Hospital seeks help identifying patient in Los Angeles County

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:29:24 GMT

Hospital seeks help identifying patient in Los Angeles County Hospital staff are hoping the public can help identify an unknown patient found in Los Angeles County.The 70-year-old male patient is currently residing at the Los Angeles General Medical Center.He has been hospitalized since Wednesday, according to staff.He is described as a man with an average build standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 158 pounds. He has medium brown eyes and thick, matted gray hair and facial hair, officials said.The 70-year-old unidentified patient in a photo from the Los Angeles General Medical Center. No identification or any other information was found with the man.Anyone who recognizes the patient is asked to contact Yen Sau at the L.A. General Medical Center’s Department of Social Work at 323-409-4860.

NCS baseball playoffs: How San Ramon Valley claimed a spot in Division I semifinals

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:29:24 GMT

NCS baseball playoffs: How San Ramon Valley claimed a spot in Division I semifinals DANVILLE — San Ramon Valley coach Justin Santich-Hughes, showing trust in the scouting report, gave the ball on Friday to a pitcher who hadn’t started all season.A pitcher who hadn’t gotten into a game in 15 days.A pitcher who hadn’t worked more than two innings in a single outing.“We got a lot of good info on Berkeley,” Santich-Hughes said. “We thought it was a good matchup. They’re really aggressive swinging the bats, and he has a good fastball and good secondary stuff. He doesn’t throw it all over for strikes. Kind of effectively wild in that regard.”All that was on the line was a spot in the North Coast Section Division I baseball semifinals.Kam Croghan, who learned of the assignment on Wednesday, took the ball and gave second-seeded San Ramon Valley three scoreless innings.Nate Simonton took care of the rest, pitching the final four frames as San Ramon Valley ousted 10th-seeded Berkeley 3-1.Joseph Coupland’s home...

SF Giants beat Marlins, reigning NL Cy Young winner to extend win streak to 4 games

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:29:24 GMT

SF Giants beat Marlins, reigning NL Cy Young winner to extend win streak to 4 games SAN FRANCISCO — Facing reigning National League Cy Young winner Sandy Alcántara, the Giants knew runs would be hard to come by Friday night.San Francisco returned to a familiar formula over the past week but one that would have felt foreign prior to their current win streak, which they extended to four games. With just enough timely hitting, the Giants maximized their chances, chased Alcántara in the sixth and beat the Marlins, 4-3.After 21 hits over the final two games of their sweep of the Phillies, the Giants (21-23) managed only five Friday night. But they were also much better with runners in scoring position against Philadelphia than they had been all season, and they continued their clutch hitting in their first of three games against Miami (23-22).Mitch Haniger drove in the first run of the game with a two-out double in the fourth and scored one of the Giants’ three runs in the sixth, when they forced Alcántara from the game and took the lead for good. Rookie Casey Sch...

Another season-long issue haunts Oakland A’s, who lose starting pitcher to injury

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:29:24 GMT

Another season-long issue haunts Oakland A’s, who lose starting pitcher to injury HOUSTON — One of the Oakland A’s season-long problems came back to bite them Friday in their series-opening game with the Houston Astros.No, not starting pitching or defense, although those two serial issues played a role as well.The A’s went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left nine on base — including three in the first inning — in a 5-1 loss to the Astros at Minute Maid Park.The A’s lack of opportunistic hitting proved costly as Kyle Tucker’s two-run home run in the sixth inning landed deep in right where many fans wore metallic gold crowns in honor of “King Tuck.” It was Tucker’s bobblehead night, honoring his 2022 Gold Glove. His seventh homer of the year came off Ken Waldichuk (1-3) and scored José Abreu.Tucker also doubled in the fourth to score Yordan Alvarez, who led off with a double of his own off the top of the wall in center. The Astros have won eight of their last nine games, and the A’s have lost five of six.Oakl...

Monterey County child molester sentenced to 142 years to life in prison

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:29:24 GMT

Monterey County child molester sentenced to 142 years to life in prison (KRON) -- A 43-year-old Monterey County man was sentenced to serve 142 years to life in prison for sexually molesting one of his young family members. Angel Rojas Lugos, of San Ardo, was sentenced by Judge Jennifer J. O’Keefe on Friday in a Salinas courtroom. The victim was less than 10 years old when the abuse began, prosecutors said. A jury found Lugos guilty of two counts of committing oral copulation, and 14 counts of committing forcible lewd or lascivious acts against a child. All 16 counts are violent felonies and considered “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes law, prosecutors said. Lugos is required to register as a sex offender for life.The victim, "Jane Doe," reported that Lugos molested her many times over a two-year period. The case was investigated by deputies with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. "Jane Doe stated she waited to report the molestation because she was afraid she would get in trouble and that she would not be believed," prosecutors wrote. "At tr...