Top Of The Morning, Jan. 26, 2018

By LORNE COOK and ILLIA NOVIKOV BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Tuesday sidestepped questions about Ukraine’s possible membership of the military alliance, saying that the priority now must be to strengthen the country’s hand in any future peace talks with Russia by sending it more weapons. Rutte’s remarks, ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, came days after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that extending alliance membership to territory now under Kyiv’s control could end “the hot stage” of the almost 3-year war in Ukraine, where Russian forces are pressing deeper into their western neighbor. “The front is not moving eastwards.

Dear Eric: My brother and his wife just had their first child, the first grandchild on both sides of the family. Related Articles Advice | Asking Eric: Our 6-week separation has been so nice. Now she wants to hang out. Advice | Asking Eric: My neighbor yells at me when I try to reclaim my yard from her ‘wilding’ Advice | Asking Eric: Should I tell well-wishers what I learned after my boyfriend died? Advice | Asking Eric: When our grandnephew visits, he can’t stay off his video games Advice | Asking Eric: My widowed friend cancelled our long-planned dinner date at the last moment I am so excited to be an aunt, and I love the baby.

Q: I  predict that Jimmy Butler will not opt out of the last year on his contract. I can’t see any team making a significant trade offer for him this season with the possibility that he will opt out of his contract. And based on his recent injury history, age and play, I don’t see any team giving him a big multiyear deal at the money he will make next season from the Heat.

The Democratic Party in Florida is experiencing a perilous decline in voter participation, membership and political victories. Having participated in Democratic organizations in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, I am well acquainted with successful political strategies. In the four years I have lived in Broward, I have seen a visible lack of leadership at the local level, with one or two exceptions. One is Alfredo Olvera, who has demonstrated fundraising and get-out-the-vote acumen as president of the Dolphin Democrats, of which I am a member.

Here are the top stories for Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Get the weather forecast for today here. SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get our free Morning Update email. Sign up here. Fort Lauderdale landmark Hot Dog Heaven reopens with new owner, fresh dressing Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine’s legal troubles expand with two South Florida lawsuits 50+ rodent droppings in kitchen, roaches behind fortune cookies: 10 South Florida restaurants shut Protester shot by cop’s rubber bullet may get $2 million to settle Fort Lauderdale lawsuit From the editor: Help Sun Sentinel continue our important local journalism Fight over new trash-burning incinerator will linger into 2025.

Today is Tuesday, Dec. 3, the 338th day of 2024. There are 28 days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 3, 1984, a cloud of methyl isocyanate gas escaped from a pesticide plant operated by a Union Carbide subsidiary in Bhopal, India, causing an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 deaths and more than 500,000 injuries. Also on this date: In 1947, the Tennessee Williams play “A Streetcar Named Desire” opened on Broadway. Related Articles National News | Trump’s pick for FBI head started as Miami lawyer but didn’t stand out, ex-colleagues say National News | Delaware judge reaffirms ruling that invalidated massive Tesla pay package for Elon Musk National News | Woman driving drunk who killed bride still in her wedding dress sentenced to 25 years in prison National News | A top Fed official leans toward December rate cut but says it depends on economic data National News | Police officer became ‘double agent’ for Proud Boys, prosecutor says In 1967, a surgical team in Cape Town, South Africa, led by Dr.