ESPN

Karl-Anthony Towns said he got a “warm feeling” entering the Target Center again Thursday morning, but that still didn’t mask how strange it was for him to be entering the arena he called home for nine seasons as a visiting player for the first time.

Towns will play his first game in Minnesota as a member of the New York Knicks on Thursday night, his first game against the Timberwolves since he was traded days before the start of training camp in September.

“I know it’s going to be a lot,” Towns said with a laugh as he considered the emotions of the game later that evening. “But just appreciate every second, every moment and appreciate being back here.”

Towns, who was selected No. 1 overall by the Wolves in the 2015 NBA draft, said he still feels a strong connection to Minnesota, which includes keeping tabs on his former teammates from afar.

“I’m an avid Timberwolves fan, so I watch a lot of the games when I get a chance,” Towns said. “They’re still my brothers. They’re still my guys. Just because a trade happened, doesn’t mean I lost love for them. The brotherhood is always going to be there.”

The Wolves and Knicks pulled off a blockbuster trade the weekend before the start of training camp, sending Towns to New York in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. The trade was a shock for Towns, who had spent his entire career in Minnesota, and especially with the Wolves fresh off an appearance in the Western Conference finals.

“I’m not used to landing and going to a hotel in Minnesota,” Towns said. “I don’t know, that has never happened since the day I got drafted.”

Towns said he did end up spending the night in his home in Minnesota before the game, and thought multiple times how strange it would be to come through the visiting tunnel before the game.

Towns rattled some of his most impactful memories in a Wolves jersey, getting to play with Kevin Garnett during his rookie season, watching Derrick Rose drop 50 points in 2018 and Minnesota’s victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the 2024 playoffs, which sent the Wolves to the conference finals for only the second time in franchise history.

And when Towns was asked whether he missed Minnesota, he didn’t skip a beat.

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According to nearly two dozen staffers at Travel + Leisure, the best destination for 2025 might just be one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, or an undiscovered corner of Europe, or a remarkable nation in Asia that’s about to become even buzzier thanks to a certain HBO show.

These are places that feel of the moment, whether that’s because they offer unparalleled access to the outdoors, a cultural immersion you can’t find anywhere else, a pulse-quickening hit of excitement, or the sort of blissful luxury only a true five-star property can deliver.

Each of these 50 noteworthy destinations may have their own distinct allure, but all are worthy of a closer look in the year ahead. In fact, the well-traveled staff of T+L is hoping to check out more than a few of them in the coming months. Who knows, maybe we’ll see you out there? — Edited by Paul Brady and Alisha Prakash

Detroit

Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China

Marrakesh: A new nonstop United Airlines flight between Newark, New Jersey, and Marrakesh may be one of the most anticipated routes in years, finally giving U.S. travelers a connection-free link to the enchanting Moroccan city.

“It’s something we’re really excited about, as it’s going to make access much, much easier,” said Stefanie Schmudde, a senior vice president at Abercrombie & Kent. 

She also noted that a new Park Hyatt and a newly refurbished Four Seasons Resort are among other reasons to take a closer look at the destination now. Other worthwhile stays include the opulent Oberoi, which opened in early 2020; Rosemary, a chic five-room riad designed by the lifestyle brand Lrnce, which debuted in 2023; and the brand-new Nobu Hotel Marrakech Riad, a private six-bedroom villa inside the medina.

Portland

Rome

Sacramento, California

Budapest, Hungary

In 2023, the W Budapest opened in the Drechsler Palace, one of the grand palazzos that line the city’s Andrássy Avenue, a tony commercial thoroughfare that is, like the palace itself, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

With its punchy contemporary design, the hotel has become a calling card for a more cosmopolitan Budapest.

A wave of new luxury hotels has emerged to complement venerable stalwarts like the Four Seasons — this past summer saw the launch of the Kimpton BEM Budapest in a former 19th-century residence, and, in November 2023, the Dorothea Hotel, part of the Autograph Collection. But Budapest’s most spectacular draw might be Városliget — or City Park — the site of Heroes’ Square, built in 1896 to celebrate the country’s first millennium.

The park, after years of neglect, is now the recipient of a $1 billion restoration that includes new cultural spaces like the House of Music Hungary and the Museum of Ethnography. 

Continue to read Here

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KOTV – News On 6

Two men face charges of driving around Tulsa, shooting out car windows and windshields, then trying to steal more BB’s from a store in Sand Springs.

WHAT THE ARREST REPORT SAYS:
On November 20th, 6 people called police in Tulsa saying their windows had been shot out and police recovered videos the suspects’ car, a Ford Mustang.

Later that night, Sand Springs arrested them for trying to steal BB’s from a store and recovered several BB guns and a Co2 powered shotgun and impounded the Ford Mustang.

It says Smith told police he was “only driving.”
It says the damages totaled $4,000 with victims out anywhere from $600 to $1,200 each.

Both are charged with 9 counts in Tulsa County related to this incident.

In a separate case, they say Smith was caught on video dumping a stolen car that also had a stolen tag.

WHO’S CHARGED:
21-year-old Matthew Burns (on the left)
21-year-old Jerrod Smith

PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS FOR SMITH:
September 2023; Smith was put on a 5 year deferred sentence in Grady County for grand larceny and conspiracy

December 5, 2024: charged in Tulsa County for having a gun as a felon-pending
May 2024: convicted of stolen vehicle in Tulsa County; mental health court
December 2022: convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy and grand larceny; 7 years deferred sentence

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The Cradle

Turkiye Provides ‘Air Support’ To Extremists Violating Ceasefire In North Syria: SDF

The US-backed militia says it downed an advanced Turkish drone and has warned that Ankara is massing its troops near the Syrian border in preparation for a ‘possible invasion’

The Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on 18 December that the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) has continued to launch attacks on the city of Kobane and the strategic Tishreen Dam in northern Syria with air support from Ankara.

“Despite ongoing de-escalation efforts by the United States of America, the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries continued their attacks on numerous areas in the vicinity of Kobani, the Tishreen Dam, and Ain Issa yesterday and today,” the SDF said in a statement.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) confirmed that the SNA once more violated a US-mediated ceasefire agreement by launching a “surprise attack on [SDF positions] around the Tishreen Dam and Qaraqozak Bridge in eastern Aleppo countryside.”

“According to reliable SOHR sources, the attack was accompanied by intense aerial and ground bombardment in attempts to take control of Qaraqozak Bridge and Tishreen Dam, where a Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drone was shot down, and a Turkish radar vehicle was destroyed in the area by SDF,” the UK-based monitor reported on Wednesday.

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New footage has been released showing an armed assailant at Nick Fuentes’ doorstep.

“The killer parked his car in front of my house and approached my door with his pistol drawn and what appears to be a crossbow. I was livestreaming at the time.

He rings the door bell, tries the doorknob and yells “yo Nick!”

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Detroit police are investigating after a video shows a man chasing and grabbing an unknown-aged female.

According to police, officers responded to area of E. 7 Mile and Outer Drive on Wednesday 12/18, and were unable to make contact with the involved parties.

“Officers spoke to witnesses and reviewed the video of the incident. We are still currently investigating this matter,” Detroit police said.

According to witnesses, the man chased after her for several blocks. At this time, it’s unknown on what happened after the video stops. Bystanders jumped into action when they saw the situation unfolding.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ninth Precinct Detective Unit at 313-596-5940 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-SPEAK UP. (News & informing release only)

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Detectives with the Shreveport Police Department are requesting the public’s help in identifying a woman wanted in connection with a theft at a local department store.

On November 27, 2024, an older White female entered the JCPenney store located at 7451 Youree Drive during business hours. While inside, the woman asked to get a closer view of two diamond engagement rings. She then fled the store with the rings without paying for them.

Store asset protection staff have indicated that this is the same individual suspected of committing a similar theft at the JCPenney location in Bossier City just a few weeks ago.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about this suspect or her whereabouts to contact the Shreveport Police Department at (318) 673-7300.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Caddo Crime Stoppers at (318) 673-7373, or via their P3 Tips app.

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Eastern District Homicide Investigation

In reference to the homicide that occurred on December 17, 2024, in the Eastern District, detectives have arrested 46-year-old Charles Meyers of Baltimore.

Investigators learned that Meyers killed 42-year-old Krystal Praharnpap in their home in the 1000 block of Quantril Way.

Less than an hour later, at approximately 8:38 p.m., Eastern District patrol officers located and arrested Charles Meyers in the 1100 block of Armstead Way.

Officers transported him to the Central Booking Intake Facility where he was charged with first and second-degree murder and assault.

Original Advisory

On December 17, 2024, at approximately 7:45 p.m., Eastern District patrol officers responded to a home in the 1000 block of Quantril Way for a report of an assault.

Once there, officers made a forced entry into the home, locating a 42-year-old female suffering from trauma.

Officers immediately attempted life-saving measures until Medics arrived, and pronounced the victim deceased.

Homicide Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact them at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7Lockup.

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On December 1, 2024, police say officers responded to a shooting at a club in the 900 block of Murfreesboro Pike in Nashville, Tennessee. Witnesses told law enforcement there was a heated argument before shots were fired at a vehicle with five people inside.

The driver reportedly pulled into an office building parking lot in the 1300 block of Murfreesboro Pike after realizing three women had been injured.

The three young women were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where one woman died. However, the other two teens were treated and released.

The victim was identified as 18-year-old Ashley Dominguez.

Officials said quick action by a Community Safety Center operator at The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Headquarters helped capture video footage of the shooting and allowed for 15-year-old Yariel Sandoval to be developed as a suspect.

On December 18, coordination between its Homicide Unit detectives, TITANS Unit detectives, and Community Safety Center operators, as well as the Clarksville Police Department, led to Sandoval’s arrest.

Authorities said Sandoval was taken into custody in Clarksville on his outstanding warrants for criminal homicide, among other charges. However, the investigation is still ongoing with regard to other people potentially involved.

No additional details have been released about this case.

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DailyMail

The vaccine will apparently be used to treat cancer patients, rather than being given to the general public to prevent tumors from forming in the first place.

Previous comments by Russian government scientists suggest each shot is personalized for the individual patient, which is similar to cancer vaccines being developed in the West.

It is currently not clear which cancers the vaccine is designed to treat, how effective it is or how Russia plans to roll it out.

The name of the vaccine has not been revealed. 

Similar to the rest of the world, cancer rates are increasing in Russia, with more than 635,000 cases recorded in 2022. 

Colon, breast, and lung cancers are believed to be the country’s most common forms of the disease.

Personalized cancer vaccines are designed to teach the immune system how to recognize and attack proteins specific to that patient’s cancer. 

To do this, vaccines use genetic material called RNA from a patient’s own tumor.

In the same way traditional vaccines use part of the virus to prevent disease, these use harmless proteins from the surface of cancer cells, known as antigens.

When these antigens are introduced into the body, it should stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against them, which then kill the cancer cells. 

Other countries have also been working to develop their own personalized cancer vaccines. 

In May, researchers at the University of Florida tested an individualized vaccine in four patients with glioblastoma, the aggressive brain cancer that killed Senator John McCain and Beau Biden. 

The team found that the shot triggers a strong immune response just two days after injection. 

Senior study author Elias Sayour, a UF Health pediatric oncologist, said: ‘In less than 48 hours, we could see these tumors shifting from what we refer to as “cold” – immune cold, very few immune cells, very silenced immune response – to “hot,” very active immune response.’

And in the UK, scientists are testing a personalized vaccine for melanoma.

Early results have shown that it drastically improved survival chances of the disease, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer. 

Steve Young, a 52-year-old melanoma patient in the UK, has taken the vaccine as part of a clinical trial. 

He said: ‘This is my best chance at stopping the cancer in its tracks.’ 

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