Rockies' Elias Díaz becomes unlikely All-Star MVP, 3 1/2 years after cut loose by Pirates

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:09 GMT

Rockies' Elias Díaz becomes unlikely All-Star MVP, 3 1/2 years after cut loose by Pirates SEATTLE (AP) — Elias Díaz may be the most unlikely All-Star MVP.Just 3 1/2 years after Pittsburgh failed to offer a contract and allowed him to become a free agent, Diaz hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Félix Bautista in the eighth inning to lift the National League over the American 3-2 on Tuesday night.A first-time All-Star at age 32, the Colorado catcher put his name on an award won by Willie Mays, Joe Morgan, Frank and Brooks Robinson, both Ken Griffeys and Mike Trout.“I honestly can’t believe that my name is going to be next to some of those names,” Díaz said through a translator, clutching the crystal bat awarded the MVP. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would be in this position.” Broncos safety Justin Simmons learns fire prevention firsthand After five years with the Pirates, Díaz found out from his agent in December 2019 he had been non-tendered.“When they let me go, I didn’t allow myself to feel defeated,” Díaz said. “I maintained my confidence and staye...

Beloved macaws vanish in SW Miami-Dade; family desperate for bird bandit’s capture

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:09 GMT

Beloved macaws vanish in SW Miami-Dade; family desperate for bird bandit’s capture A family in Southwest Miami-Dade is seeking assistance from the community to track down a heartless bird bandit who absconded with two cherished macaws from their home. The incident occurred on Monday near the intersection of Southwest 127th Place and 110th Street, leaving the family devastated and determined to bring their feathered companions back safely.The macaws, which have been part of the family for years, hold immense sentimental value. The owner’s son, Luis Gomez said the animals have been in the family since he was 7 years old.Gomez suspects that the person responsible for the theft possesses significant knowledge and expertise in handling exotic animals. “They weigh a lot, and if you were to hold them on your arm, their talons are very sharp. They’re big animals, so we’re thinking that the person who did this is experienced and they handle these animals on a day-to-day basis,” he said.In an effort to expedite the safe return of their cherishe...

Miami city board approves temporary protection for prehistoric settlement in Brickell neighborhood

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:09 GMT

Miami city board approves temporary protection for prehistoric settlement in Brickell neighborhood In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, the Miami city board approved temporary protection for a recently discovered prehistoric settlement in the Brickell neighborhood. This move sets the stage for a potential dispute between a well-known developer and preservationists regarding construction on the site.By a vote of 6-0, the city’s historic preservation board granted preliminary designation to 444 Brickell Ave. as a protected archaeological site. This area is part of a larger property on the Miami River that is slated for redevelopment by the Related Group. Over the past two years, archaeologists excavating a section of the Related property unearthed a remarkable collection of artifacts, plant and animal materials, and remnants of indigenous structures that date back thousands of years.Independent archaeologists have deemed the discoveries on the site to be exceptionally significant, making it one of the most important prehistoric sites in South Florida. The approval of the preli...

Detective shot at during traffic stop in North Miami

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:09 GMT

Detective shot at during traffic stop in North Miami A detective was shot at after they attempted to stop a vehicle in North Miami, Wednesday morning. The incident occurred after, police said, a robbery detective tried to stop a car at 135th Street near Northeast Sixth Avenue. A man in the white Genesis G70 sedan took out a firearm and shot the detectives as the car fled the scene. The vehicle then stopped at 125th Street at Northeast 14th Avenue when three men exited and fled on foot. Two men were apprehended and on firearm was found in their possession. According to police, no officers were injured during the incident. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

‘Wonka’ director teases all-singing, all-dancing Timothée Chalamet in new teaser trailer

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:09 GMT

‘Wonka’ director teases all-singing, all-dancing Timothée Chalamet in new teaser trailer (CNN) — Willy Wonka’s back. The chocolatier and torturer of naughty children is getting the prequel treatment in a new film starring Timothée Chalamet, coming to cinemas in December.First footage of Chalamet as the mercurial Roald Dahl character was revealed Tuesday, showing a young Wonka setting out on a quest to shake up the chocolate industry and break up a confectionary cabal.Chalamet steps into shoes previously filled by Gene Wilder in 1971 and Johnny Depp in 2005. Rather than retell Dahl’s 1964 book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” writer-director Paul King has imagined a plucky, striving take on the character in what he calls a “companion piece” to the 1971 film.Speaking in London ahead of the teaser trailer release, King promised an all-singing, all-dancing Chalamet and a film that “answers all the questions you never had” about Wonka.The director shared that he’d accessed Dahl’s personal archives and read early drafts of the novel, gleaning ideas from there.“As a writer...

Your own personal jet. Luxembourg PM flew into NATO summit on Depeche Mode’s plane

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:09 GMT

Your own personal jet. Luxembourg PM flew into NATO summit on Depeche Mode’s plane Luxembourg’s NATO summit delegation jetted into Vilnius on the plane recently used by Depeche Mode on their world tour — and covered in the band’s logos. When Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn and Defense Minister François Bausch arrived Tuesday in Vilnius, reporters were surprised to see a “big red skull on the plane used by peaceful little Luxembourg,” wrote AP journalist Philip Crowther on Twitter. Turns out, Luxembourg’s top politicians were deplaning from a jet used by the English electronic rockers, with the large red skull accompanied by the letters DM (for the band) and MM (referring to Depeche Mode’s new album). How did this happen? Luxembourg’s army tried to book a flight through the European Air Transport Command, but it just can’t get enough private jets for major international events, so Luxembourg had to charter another available plane in which they could enjoy the silence before the summit, re...

Ukraine must show ‘gratitude’ to the West to keep support, UK defense minister warns

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:09 GMT

Ukraine must show ‘gratitude’ to the West to keep support, UK defense minister warns VILNIUS — Ukraine must show “gratitude” to its allies, despite its disappointment over the way NATO framed Kyiv’s future membership prospects, in order to maintain long-term Western public and political support, the British defense secretary warned on Wednesday.Speaking to reporters at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Ben Wallace cautioned that the U.S. is heading for a presidential election next year, and lawmakers from countries making big military donations to Kyiv could face a political problem if they are met with Ukrainian anger. There is concern across Europe that NATO-skeptic Donald Trump could return as U.S. president.“Sometimes you have to persuade lawmakers on the Hill in America, you have to persuade doubting politicians in other countries that, you know, that is worth it, that it is worthwhile and that they are getting something for it,” he said. “And whether you like it or not, that’s the reality of it.”Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vented his disappointment...

First attempt to kill EU nature law fails in Parliament vote

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:09 GMT

First attempt to kill EU nature law fails in Parliament vote The conservative European People’s Party on Wednesday failed to get a majority of lawmakers in the European Parliament to reject new EU rules aimed at restoring the bloc’s degraded ecosystems.An amendment submitted by the EPP calling to reject the draft Nature Restoration Regulation outright and send the European Commission back to the drawing board failed to pass in a plenary vote. It was voted down with 324 votes against, 312 in favor and 12 abstentions.The Commission’s proposed legislation, a highly contentious part of the Green Deal, aims to restore at least 20 percent of degraded ecosystems by 2030. European lawmakers will now proceed to voting on amendments to the Commission’s proposal. A final vote on the entire proposal will determine whether the Parliament supports the legislation or not. If a majority of MEPs votes to back the proposal, the Parliament can start inter-institutional negotiations with EU countries to find a compromise under the Spanish presi...

Bringing The Heat

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:09 GMT

Bringing The Heat How about that day yesterday? Mid to upper 80s, humidity in check and a lot of sunshine winning out. Wish we could have more of those days this summer! Today, while we step up the temps another notch, we’ll also notch in another beach/pool day across the region. Temps are set to soar into the upper 80s to lower 90s as more hazy sunshine wins out. While there is the risk of a late-day storm northwest, near and outside 495, much of the day is rain-free. Will Boston hit 90 today for the first time this year? Whew… it’ll be close. The west wind isn’t overly strong, so it’s possible a sea breeze caps temps in the upper 80s at Logan Airport, where the official city temps in taken. With that said, Downtown Boston, Back Bay, Fenway, and other areas of the city that’s not on the water’s edge will likely push into the lower 90s. Low 90s will be common across much of eastern Mass. Even Cape Cod runs mid to upper 80s this afternoon. Tomorrow, temps wil...

Sumner Tunnel closure impacting travelers making their way to and from Logan Airport

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:55:09 GMT

Sumner Tunnel closure impacting travelers making their way to and from Logan Airport As the Sumner Tunnel closure continues into its second week, traffic impacts continue to be felt across the city, especially at Logan Airport, where travelers arriving in Boston are finding themselves waiting in traffic and those looking to catch flights are having a harder time getting to the airport.Government officials are calling this week the real test for their mitigation attempts as traffic in and out of the city returns to normal levels after a vacation week. Over the last few days, traffic in and around the airport has been one of the pain points for drivers.Officials also say work is progressing well inside the tunnel, which is scheduled to remain closed through the end of August.Stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates related to the Sumner Tunnel closure.