Today: September 24, 2024
Today: September 24, 2024

World

World

The woman who founded Father's Day was a renegade, great-granddaughter says

You could call her the mother of Father’s Day. The late Sonora Smart Dodd launched the celebration of dads in 1910 in her hometown of Spokane, Washington. As a result, she is the one responsible for those annual gifts that run the gamut from embarrassingly silly-looking neckties to kids’ finger paintings crafted with so much love by those tiny hands that they can bring a tear to the eye of even the most stoic father. It’s a tradition Dodd decided to start as she sat in a Spokane church on Mother’s Day 1909, listening to a

June 18, 2023
The woman who founded Father's Day was a renegade, great-granddaughter says
World

France, Germany join forces against migration from Tunisia in wake of latest Mediterranean tragedy

Ministers from Germany and France tasked with regulating migration are joining forces to try to curb deaths on dangerous routes across the Mediterranean Sea, traveling Sunday for talks with the president and their counterpart in Tunisia, a major North African stepping stone for migrants trying to reach Europe at risk of their lives. The two-day trip by the German and French interior ministers, Nancy Faeser and Gérald Darmanin, follows what is feared to be the deadliest migrant shipwreck in years in the Mediterranean — the capsizing last week of a fishing vessel packed with men, women

June 18, 2023
France, Germany join forces against migration from Tunisia in wake of latest Mediterranean tragedy
World

Pakistan's prime minister declares day of mourning for citizens who died in migrant boat sinking

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday declared a national day of mourning for citizens who died when the fishing trawler packed with migrants they were in sank off the Greek coast. As many as 750 men, women and children from Syria, Egypt, the Palestinian territories and Pakistan were on board the vessel, trying to reach relatives in Europe. The Greek coast guard has defended its response to the tragedy that left more than 500 migrants presumed drowned. The vessel sank on Wednesday. Sharif expressed his grief over the tragedy and said Monday would be observed as

June 18, 2023
Pakistan's prime minister declares day of mourning for citizens who died in migrant boat sinking
World

Israeli government gives settler minister control over West Bank settlement planning

Israel’s government on Sunday granted a pro-settlement firebrand authority over planning in the occupied West Bank and lifted red tape on the settlement housing approval process, Israeli media reported. The changes make it easier for Israel to expand its settlements on land the Palestinians seek as the heartland of their future state, at a time when hopes for peace are more distant than ever. The measure was approved by the government on Sunday as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf, who is in charge of Middle East affairs, was set to meet with Israeli and Palestinian

June 18, 2023
Israeli government gives settler minister control over West Bank settlement planning
World

Why Marty Walsh left the Biden administration to run the NHL players' union

Marty Walsh wasn’t a man in a hurry to leave the Biden administration. Less than halfway through the president’s term, Walsh was in a comfortable spot in the Cabinet as labor secretary. Then he got a call about an interesting opportunity: running the NHL Players’ Association. The former mayor of Boston and longtime Bruins fan was intrigued and earlier this year accepted the role as executive director. Now three months in, Walsh is trying to get to know players and what they care about most, learning about everything from the Arizona Coyotes’ arena situation to the salary cap and future

June 18, 2023
Why Marty Walsh left the Biden administration to run the NHL players' union
World

Brittney Griner misses second straight game with hip injury

Brittney Griner sat on the bench in warmups for the second straight game, sidelined by a hip injury she suffered earlier this week. The All-Star center worked out about an hour before the game against New York on the court and looked good doing an array of post moves and jumpers. She told The Associated Press when she walked in the arena that she hoped to play. Instead she sat on the bench cheering on her teammates, being ruled out about 20 minutes before the game after being listed as questionable on the injury report. It

June 19, 2023
Brittney Griner misses second straight game with hip injury
World

US, China remain at odds on numerous issues as Blinken finishes first day of meetings in Beijing

The United States and China have failed to overcome their most serious disagreements but were able to discuss them in a potentially constructive way and have agreed to continue talks, U.S. officials said Sunday. The officials said Secretary of State Antony Blinken was able during a nearly 6-hour meeting to secure a visit to Washington by Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. But, they said progress on other issues remains a work in progress. Blinken, the highest-level American official to visit China since President Joe Biden took office, will have more senior level contacts with the Chinese on

June 19, 2023
US, China remain at odds on numerous issues as Blinken finishes first day of meetings in Beijing
World

Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic back in his Serbian hometown to watch family's horses compete

Nikola Jokic made it back to Serbia in time to watch his beloved horses race in his hometown. Less than a week after leading the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA championship, Jokic was back in his hometown of Sombor on Sunday to enjoy his big passion of horse racing. Thousands of his supporters in the usually sleepy northern Serbian town of some 47,000 people also converged on the local horse racing track where Jokic was watching his family-owned horses compete in harness races. Many had T-shirts with Jokic’s portrait, some reading “Be the Next Champion”

June 19, 2023
Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic back in his Serbian hometown to watch family's horses compete
World

NL home run leader Pete Alonso makes speedy return to Mets after wrist injury

National League home run leader Pete Alonso returned to the lineup on Sunday for the New York Mets against the St. Louis Cardinals after spending the minimum 10 days on the injured list with a left wrist bone bruise and sprain. Alonso was expected to miss three to four weeks after he was hit by a 97 mph fastball thrown by the Atlanta Braves’ Charlie Morton in the first inning on June 7. But Alonso, whose 22 homers are one fewer than major league leader Shohei Ohtani, said he thought last week he’d beat the timeline

June 19, 2023
NL home run leader Pete Alonso makes speedy return to Mets after wrist injury
World

Consumption soft even amid deep discounts during major China shopping festival, analysts say

Chinese consumers snapped up billions worth of items in China’s first major online shopping festival after emerging from the pandemic as merchants slashed prices, but analysts say that consumer confidence still remains weak. Chinese merchants offered customers steep discounts during the 618 shopping festival, which ran on China’s major shopping platforms from the end of May until June 18, in the hopes of shoring up sales amid a weaker-than-expected recovery in consumption. Major shopping festivals, like e-commerce retailer JD.com’s 618 and Alibaba’s Singles’ Day, are typically barometers of consumption in China, and Chinese e-commerce platforms often

June 19, 2023
Consumption soft even amid deep discounts during major China shopping festival, analysts say
World

Heat wave triggers big storms, power outages in US Southeast, raises wildfire concerns in Southwest

Forecasters warned people celebrating Father’s Day outdoors to take precautions as triple-digit temperatures prompted heat advisories across much of the southern U.S., triggered thunderstorms that knocked out power from Oklahoma to Mississippi and whipped up winds that raised wildfire threats in Arizona and New Mexico. A suspected tornado struck near Scranton, Arkansas early Sunday, destroying chicken houses and toppling trees onto homes, the National Weather Service said. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for north and central parts of his state after strong winds and severe weather caused

June 19, 2023
Heat wave triggers big storms, power outages in US Southeast, raises wildfire concerns in Southwest
World

Man stabs pit bull to death in Central Park after argument between dog walkers

A man stabbed a pit bull to death following a quarrel with the dog’s owner in New York City’s Central Park, officials said. The seriously injured dog was transported to a local animal clinic, where he was euthanized after the stabbing Saturday evening, police said. According to the New York Daily News, an argument broke out between the man and the woman when the assailant’s unleashed dog began biting at the woman’s pit bull. As she tried to separate the dogs, the man pulled out a switchblade and stabbed the pit bull mix. No arrests were

June 19, 2023
Man stabs pit bull to death in Central Park after argument between dog walkers
World

Verstappen ties Senna in F1 wins as Red Bull collects its 100th victory

When he won the pole in the pouring rain, Max Verstappen was quick to explain that it had been his father who would stand on the wet track during his early days of karting and point him to the correct driving lines. So when Verstappen won the Canadian Grand Prix on Father’s Day — a 41st victory that tied the Dutchman for fifth on the all-time Formula One wins list with the late Ayrton Senna and gave Red Bull its 100th win as an organization — he was quick to salute the man who had molded him into the two-time

June 19, 2023
Verstappen ties Senna in F1 wins as Red Bull collects its 100th victory
World

Two survivors of a deadly shipwreck describe their ordeal to Greek authorities

A Greek news website has published excerpts from the depositions of two survivors of Wednesday’s deadly shipwreck off southwestern Greece, in which more than 500 people are feared drowned after an overcrowded boat carrying as many as 750 migrants went down in international waters. Passengers on the ill-fated trawler had to subsist on meager supplies of food and water which ran out several hours before the disaster, two survivors have reportedly testified. News website kathimerini.gr, which is run by Greek newspaper Kathimerini, has published excerpts from the depositions of two survivors, 23-year-old Hassan, from Syria, and

June 19, 2023
Two survivors of a deadly shipwreck describe their ordeal to Greek authorities
World

Red Sox win 4-1, 6-2 to sweep Yankees in doubleheader and series

Alex Verdugo scored on a catcher’s interference to break a fourth-inning tie and then scored again in the fifth after reaching on a dropped popop and the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 4-1 on Sunday night to complete a doubleheader and series sweep of their AL East archrivals. Verdugo also had an RBI double off the Green Monster to lead the Red Sox to a 6-2 win in the day game, a makeup of Saturday’s rainout. Boston won the series opener 15-5 on Friday, giving them their first series sweep of the Yankees in

June 19, 2023
Red Sox win 4-1, 6-2 to sweep Yankees in doubleheader and series
World

Braves cut Charlie Culberson before infielder's father was to throw 1st pitch

The Atlanta Braves designated infielder Charlie Culberson for assignment hours before his father was set to throw out a ceremonial first pitch on Father’s Day. Culberson, a 34-year-old from Rome, Georgia, was cut before Sunday’s game against Colorado. He was brought up from Triple-A Gwinnett on May 19 but had not appeared in any games since his promotion. After Culberson was let go, the father of Braves outfielder Michael Harris II took care of the first pitch at Truist Park. Harris went 5 for 5 and scored three times for Atlanta in the 14-6 win. Culberson made

June 19, 2023
Braves cut Charlie Culberson before infielder's father was to throw 1st pitch
World

Family suing San Diego cemetery after remains of Juneteenth trailblazer missing from burial plot

Relatives of a late Black businessman who helped popularize Juneteenth in San Diego are suing a cemetery after his remains were reported missing from the family’s burial plot. Greenwood Memorial Park and Mortuary informed the family that Sidney Cooper’s body and casket were not in the plot where he was supposed to have been buried more than two decades ago. Cemetery staff discovered it was empty as they prepared to bury Cooper’s wife, Thelma, who died in March. Staff said they did not know the whereabouts of Cooper’s remains, their daughter, Lana Cooper-Jones, told the San

June 19, 2023
Family suing San Diego cemetery after remains of Juneteenth trailblazer missing from burial plot
World

Stickers adorn Rickie Fowler's ever-present water bottle at US Open

Leave it to Rickie Fowler to find that brilliant combination of hydration, product placement and doing what the kids like. One of golf’s fan favorites has been walking around the U.S. Open this week with his reusable water bottle in hand. It is, in keeping with the preteen and teen trends, covered with stickers. One has a bearded skull that is the logo of a coffee company. There’s one of a lightbulb that is the logo of a beer company. Another sticker is a space alien, and there’s one with the name of a company that

June 19, 2023
Stickers adorn Rickie Fowler's ever-present water bottle at US Open
World

Leona Maguire plays last 6 holes in 6 under, comes from behind to win Meijer LPGA Classic

Leona Maguire played her final six holes in 6 under and shot an 8-under 64 on Sunday to win the Meijer LPGA Classic by two strokes, her second tour victory. Maguire made six birdies and an eagle in her bogey-free round at Blythefield to finish at 21-under 267. She caught playing partner Ariya Jutanugarn with an eagle on the par-5 14th hole to reach 18 under, then closed with three straight birdies to pull ahead of Jutanugarn and Xiyu Lin. Maguire was solid but unspectacular on the front nine, birdieing both par 3s, and was 2

June 19, 2023
Leona Maguire plays last 6 holes in 6 under, comes from behind to win Meijer LPGA Classic
World

Russia had means, motive and opportunity to destroy Ukraine dam, drone photos and information show

Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to bring down a Ukrainian dam that collapsed earlier this month while under Russian control, according to exclusive drone photos and information obtained by The Associated Press. Images taken from above the Kakhovka Dam and shared with the AP appear to show an explosive-laden car atop the structure, and two officials said Russian troops were stationed in a crucial area inside the dam where the Ukrainians say the explosion that destroyed it was centered. The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The dam’s

June 19, 2023
Russia had means, motive and opportunity to destroy Ukraine dam, drone photos and information show
World

Americans mark Juneteenth with parties, events, quiet reflection on end of slavery after Civil War

Americans across the country this weekend celebrated Juneteenth, marking the relatively new national holiday with cookouts, parades and other gatherings as they commemorated the end of slavery after the Civil War. While many have treated the long holiday weekend as a reason for a party, others urged quiet reflection on America’s often violent and oppressive treatment of its Black citizens. And still others have remarked at the strangeness of celebrating a federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the nation while many Americans are trying to stop that history from being taught in public schools. “Is

June 19, 2023
Americans mark Juneteenth with parties, events, quiet reflection on end of slavery after Civil War
World

Tommy Fleetwood shoots 63 in final round of US Open

Tommy Fleetwood has shot 63 in the final round of the U.S. Open for the second time in five years. Fleetwood missed a 7-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole Sunday that would have given him a 62 and a share of this tournament’s new single-round record. Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele both shot 62 on Thursday at Los Angeles Country Club. Still, the 32-year-old Englishman is part of an exclusive group. He became the fourth player with multiple rounds of 63 in major championships, joining Greg Norman (1986 U.S. Open and 1996 Masters), Vijay Singh

June 19, 2023
Tommy Fleetwood shoots 63 in final round of US Open
World

At least 6 killed, dozens injured in weekend shootings across US

At least six people including a Pennsylvania state trooper were killed and dozens injured in a string of weekend violence and mass shootings across the U.S. The shootings in suburban Chicago, Washington state, Pennsylvania, St. Louis, Southern California and Baltimore follow a surge in homicides and other violence over the past several years that experts say accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic. “There’s no question there’s been a spike in violence,” said Daniel Nagin, a professor of public policy and statistics at Carnegie Mellon University. “Some of these cases seem to be just disputes, often among adolescents, and those disputes are

June 19, 2023
At least 6 killed, dozens injured in weekend shootings across US
World

Kamau, 'charismatic and iconic' African lion at California's Sacramento Zoo, dies at 16

Kamau, the African lion who was a star attraction at California’s Sacramento Zoo, has died at age 16, officials said. The zoo said Kamau was euthanized Saturday, a day after the big cat was pulled off an exhibit because of declining health due to his advanced age. The lion was considered elderly with worsening gastrointestinal problems, “and the difficult decision to proceed with humane euthanasia was made when medical treatment options failed to provide sufficient relief from his condition,” the zoo said in a statement. The statement called Kamau one of the zoo’s “most charismatic and

June 19, 2023
Kamau, 'charismatic and iconic' African lion at California's Sacramento Zoo, dies at 16
World

North Korea calls failed spy satellite launch 'the most serious' shortcoming, vows 2nd launch

Top North Korean officials vowed to push for a second attempt to launch a spy satellite as they called their country’s first, and failed, launch last month “the most serious” shortcoming this year and harshly criticized those responsible, state media reported Monday. In late May, a North Korean rocket carrying a military reconnaissance satellite crashed soon after liftoff, posing a setback to leader Kim Jong Un’s push to acquire a space-based surveillance system to better monitor the United States and South Korea. The failed launch and North Korean efforts to modernize its weapons arsenals were

June 19, 2023
North Korea calls failed spy satellite launch 'the most serious' shortcoming, vows 2nd launch

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