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Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek win on Day 1 at Wimbledon, Venus Williams and Coco Gauff in action

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:05:24 GMT

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek advanced with straight-set victories Monday despite a rain delay as Wimbledon got started.Venus Williams and Coco Gauff are among the other big names in action later on Day 1.It is the year’s third major tournament — and Djokovic won the first two: the Australian Open in January and the French Open in June. That puts him halfway to the first calendar-year Grand Slam in men’s tennis since 1969. He came close to the feat in 2021, falling just one victory short when he lost in the final of the U.S. Open.He seeks a fifth consecutive title at the All England Club and eighth overall, which both would tie records for men.Djokovic’s title at Roland Garros was his 23rd at a Slam event, breaking a tie with Rafael Nadal for the men’s mark in that category.Djokovic, the No. 2 seed, beat Pedro Cachin 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4) after a rain relay that lasted more than an hour. Groundskeepers used leaf blowers to dry the grass...

Dior brings ethereal goddesses, silver threads, to Paris couture

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:05:24 GMT

PARIS (AP) — In the lush surroundings of Paris’ Musee Rodin, the landscapes of artist Marta Roberti formed the backdrop on Monday for the latest Dior couture collection by designer Maria Grazia Chiuri. The designs, inspired by power, feminism and the divine, shone against Roberti’s fantastical creations of exotic birds and ethereal trees. VIP attendees, including actors Natalie Portman and Rosamund Pike, were drawn into this imaginative realm.Here’s a look at some highlights from Monday’s fall-winter 2023 collections:DIVINE GODDESSES OF DIOR STRUT AMID BIRDS AND TREESThe collection by Chiuri drew its strength from the past, a salute to timelessness. An ecru wool crepe cape with long, draping sleeves set the classical tone, with the gathered plaits of the models’ hair, a throwback to times past. Subtle and understated, the adornments of pearl or gold earrings added a quiet elegance, while tunic shapes and classical banding played up the nostalgic silhouettes, all marked by loose prop...

Wimbledon uses leaf blowers to dry the grass on Centre Court after rain delay

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:05:24 GMT

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — After the rain came down and the Centre Court roof was closed, groundskeepers at Wimbledon brought out the leaf blowers.Several workers using the hand-held machines paced up and down the hallowed grass in the All England Club’s main stadium to dry the ground from the sudden shower that disrupted play on all courts.Novak Djokovic, the defending champion who was playing Pedro Cachin in the stadium at the time the rain started, clapped when he saw the workers emerge with their leaf blowers. He had been trying to dry the grass on his own, waving his white towel over some spots that seemed to be particularly soaked.Djokovic looked up to his box and joked: “ Yes, blow, blow. Blow the air. We need everybody’s help. “The delay lasted more than an hour, with Djokovic in the lead after winning the first set 6-3. The roof, installed over Centre Court in 2009, was reopened before play resumed.Djokovic won 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4).___AP tennis: https://apnews...

Investigators visit North Carolina amusement park after closing ride because of crack

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:05:24 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — State investigators were on site Monday at a North Carolina amusement park after a crack was discovered on a support beam on one of their popular roller coasters.Tommy Petty, chief of the state Department of Labor’s Amusement Device Bureau, said investigators from his department “already came and went” from the Carowinds roller coaster Monday morning. He declined to share details about their findings.Carowinds’ Fury 325 was shut down Friday. Video of the ride showed the beam bending, the top of it visibly detached, as cars with passengers whirled by.The park’s website advertises the ride as the “tallest, fastest, longest giga coaster in North America” that crosses into both North Carolina and South Carolina. It has been open to the public since 2015. The rest of the park remains open. Hannah Schoenbaum And Kimberlee Kruesi, The Associated Press

As 1,500 Disneyland collectibles go up for auction, that Dumbo car – or trash bin – can be yours

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:05:24 GMT

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Fans who agree Disneyland is indeed the happiest place on Earth will soon be able to take home more than a souvenir. A passionate collector has brought Disney magic to a sprawling 30,000-square-foot (2,800-square-meter) building in Burbank, California, where fans can hear birds chirping in the Enchanted Tiki Room section or giggle at the animated ghosts from the Haunted Mansion ride as they preview more than 1,500 items up for auction later this month. Joel Magee has been building his collection of more than 6,000 items — including costumes, rare posters, and life-size vehicles from rides like Dumbo and Peter Pan — for 30 years, and he’s finally ready to share some of it with the public. “I’m one of those guys — go big or go home. And if you don’t have the biggest, then it ain’t the best,” Magee told The Associated Press in a recent interview, as fans milled about the exhibit. Magee’s is the largest individually owned Disneyland/Disney Park collection in the w...

Kevin Spacey’s accuser describes the Oscar-winning actor as a ‘slippery, snaky’ predator to avoid

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:05:24 GMT

LONDON (AP) — One of actor Kevin Spacey ‘s accusers described the Oscar-winner in court Monday as a “slippery, snaky” predator who good-looking, young men were warned to avoid. The man, who worked with the American actor when he came to the Old Vic Theatre in London in the early 2000s, said Spacey told him he could introduce him to Hollywood stars. But the man said that word around the playhouse was that he should be careful around Spacey.“It was well known he was up to no good,” the man said in a video of his police interview played for jurors in Spacey’s sexual assault trial. “He was almost right from the get-go grooming me.”He said Spacey made him uncomfortable querying him about his sexuality, then became “touchy feely” and graduated to aggressive groping when they were alone together.The man, who cannot be identified under British law, likened Spacey to the villain he plays in the 1995 thriller “Se7en” about a serial killer motivated by the seven deadly sins. “He’s ...

Slovakia central bank chief says he won’t step down despite bribery charges against him

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:05:24 GMT

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — The head of Slovakia’s central bank, who is a member of the European Central Bank committee that decides monetary policy for 20 countries, said Monday he won’t step down despite bribery charges against him.Peter Kazimir is accused of paying a bribe of 48,000 euros ($52,000) to the head of the country’s tax office in connection with a tax audit of several private companies. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted. It wasn’t clear when a verdict might be issued.Kazimir said he considered the charges illegal and fabricated.“I will never resign,” he told reporters after the trial opened Monday in a court in the town of Pezinok near the capital, Bratislava. “And you know why? Because I haven’t done anything wrong.”Slovakia is one of 20 countries that use the euro currency and Kazimir is a member of the European Central Bank’s governing council, its main decision-making body.The case dates to when Kazimir served as finance minister in the l...

Von der Leyen urges moves to bring Ukraine, Moldova into EU to avoid Russian, Chinese influence

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:05:24 GMT

MADRID (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Monday it was imperative for the European Union to address the issue of its enlargement as soon as possible to include countries such as Ukraine and Moldova to guarantee they do not fall under the influence of Russia or China.Speaking in Madrid, von der Leyen said the bloc must look forward four years and imagine what the union should be like.“Can we imagine the European Union will be without Ukraine, without Moldova, without the Western Balkans? And those parts of Europe are under the influence of Russia or China? Impossible,” she said. “So, the direction of travel is clear. And therefore, now we have to start to think about how are we making sure that Europe is whole, that those countries are part of the European Union.”Von der Leyen spoke alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez following a meeting of EU commissioners and the Spanish government to review Spain’s plans for its six-month presidency of the E...

Miss the supermoon? You won't have to wait long

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:05:24 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - If you missed the supermoon Monday morning, there will be a few more chances to catch another one before the end of 2023. A supermoon occurs during a full moon while the moon is at close range to Earth, making it seem even larger than other full moons to some. The most recent supermoon peaked at 7:39 a.m. ET Monday morning. The moon will still appear full Monday night, according to WFLA Meteorologist Amanda Holly.Holly points out that the next three full moons will also be super moons. There will also be four consecutive supermoons in 2024. Two of the remaining three supermoons will be in August, the second of which will be a blue moon -- the name given to a second full moon in one calendar month. The third will be in September.August 1, peaking at 2:31 p.m. ETAugust 30, peaking at 9:35 p.m. ETSeptember 26, peaking at 5:57 a.m. ET. The August 30th full moon will also be the closest to Earth of the full supermoons in 2023, according to EarthSky. Despite the pro...

Missing Houston man found 8 years after disappearing as a teen

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:05:24 GMT

HOUSTON (KIAH) — A teenager who disappeared in 2015 has been found alive but injured. Rudy Farias IV was 17 years old when he vanished on March 6, 2015, while walking his two dogs near Tidwell Road in north Houston. The dogs were later found, but Rudy was not located. An electric billboard was put up in 2017 to help find him. Authorities said that Farias was diagnosed with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.But on Sunday, Farias’ family and the Texas Center of the Missing said that Rudy, now 25, has been found safe and sound."Please continue to keep his family in your prayers as Rudy recovers in the hospital," the agency wrote. His family says he is in the hospital being treated for several injuries and is in "bad shape."According to family members who spoke to the local ABC affiliate, Farias IV was found unresponsive outside of a church. It's not yet clear what led to the teen's disappearance or where he has been for nearly a decade.