Today: September 25, 2024
Today: September 25, 2024

World

World

Iraq opens an investigation into the kidnapping of a missing Israeli-Russian academic

Iraq opened an investigation into the case of a dual Israeli-Russian academic who has been missing in Iraq since March, a government spokesman said Friday. Bassem al-Awadi’s comments were the first official Iraqi statements since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Wednesday that Elizabeth Tsurkov is still alive “and we hold Iraq responsible for her safety and well-being.” Netanyahu said Tsurkov is being held by the Shiite group Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, a powerful Iran-backed group that the U.S. government listed as a terrorist organization in 2009. Tsurkov, whose work focuses on the Middle East,

July 07, 2023
Iraq opens an investigation into the kidnapping of a missing Israeli-Russian academic
World

With Griffey's help, MLB hosts HBCU All-Star Game hoping to create opportunity for Black players

Ken Griffey Jr. holds a plethora of titles, especially in this part of the country. Hall of Famer. Cultural icon. The guy who made baseball in the Pacific Northwest relevant. Arguably, the greatest of his generation. He even holds a title in association with Major League Baseball as a special adviser to Commissioner Rob Manfred. But what’s most meaningful to Griffey currently is his association with Friday’s HBCU Swingman All-Star Classic that serves as the first major event of All-Star Game festivities, featuring players from 17 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The event was an idea generated

July 07, 2023
With Griffey's help, MLB hosts HBCU All-Star Game hoping to create opportunity for Black players
World

Florida judge to murder suspect on run for 40 years: "You knew you were running from something."

A judge in Florida has ordered a 65-year-old California fugitive held without bond in connection with the death of a woman nearly 40 years ago. Donald Santini was arrested by U.S. marshals in California last month, and extradited to Florida. He had used at least 13 aliases over the years. Santini was the last person seen with 33-year-old Cynthia “Cindy” Ruth Wood. The arrest warrant said a medical examiner determined she had been strangled, and Santini’s fingerprints were found on her body. “You being on the run for almost 40 years is a consciousness of guilt.

July 07, 2023
Florida judge to murder suspect on run for 40 years: "You knew you were running from something."
World

Fatal fire still burns on cargo ship in New Jersey, raising questions about response capability

A cargo ship burned for a third day Friday at a New Jersey port after the fire claimed the lives of two firefighters and exposed gaps in the ability of fire crews to respond to emergencies on hulking container ships. Crews shot jets of water into the Italian-flagged Grande Costa d’Avorio docked in Newark as flames flared periodically from the section of the ship where hundreds of vehicles were loaded onto multiple decks. The Coast Guard and other officials were set to hold a news conference later Friday to give an update on the situation. Newark

July 07, 2023
Fatal fire still burns on cargo ship in New Jersey, raising questions about response capability
World

8-year-old girl in 'life-threatening' condition after deadly London school car crash

London police said Friday that an 8-year-old is in a “life-threatening condition” in the hospital following a car crash at an elementary school on Thursday that claimed the life of another girl of the same age. In an update, the Metropolitan Police also said that a woman in her 40s is in a critical condition following the crash in Wimbledon, in the southwest of the city. A Land Rover crashed through a fence on Thursday morning before colliding with a building at the Study Preparatory School for girls aged between 4 and 11. Police said soon after

July 07, 2023
8-year-old girl in 'life-threatening' condition after deadly London school car crash
World

Wembanyama debuts after two top-5 picks hurt in thrilling finish to the previous Summer League game

Victor Wembanyama’s first NBA game had a tough act to follow. While the San Antonio rookie waited to make his NBA Summer League debut Friday night against the Charlotte Hornets, the game before his ended with a thrilling finish. Jabari Smith Jr. hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to rally the Houston Rockets to a 100-99 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in a game that saw two top-five picks unable to finish the game due to injuries. Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 selection, injured his right shoulder in the third quarter and did not return

July 07, 2023
Wembanyama debuts after two top-5 picks hurt in thrilling finish to the previous Summer League game
World

Hawks agree to $120 million, 4-year contract extension with Murray, AP source says

The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to a four-year, $120 million contract extension with guard Dejounte Murray, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Friday. The deal preserves the Hawks’ backcourt combination with Trae Young and Murray and keeps Murray on the roster for five years, through the 2027-28 season, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the extension has not been announced. Murray hinted at the agreement on his Twitter account when he posted late Thursday “ATLANTA. Been Locked In From The Moment Y’all Accepted

July 07, 2023
Hawks agree to $120 million, 4-year contract extension with Murray, AP source says
World

Olympic gold-medalist, former South Carolina assistant Nikki McCray-Penson dies at 51

Two-time Olympic gold-medalist and former ABL MVP Nikki McCray-Penson has died. She was 51. McCray-Penson was an assistant women’s basketball coach at Rutgers last season and the school on Friday confirmed her death. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. She joined Dawn Staley as an assistant coach at South Carolina from 2008-17. She was part of the Gamecocks’ first national championship in 2017. McCray-Penson won gold medals with the U.S. women’s basketball team at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. The 1996 team sparked the formation of the WNBA and ABL. She played in the ABL and won MVP

July 07, 2023
Olympic gold-medalist, former South Carolina assistant Nikki McCray-Penson dies at 51
World

Kansas attorney general sues to prevent transgender people from changing driver's licenses

The Republican attorney general of Kansas sued Friday to block transgender residents from changing their sex on their driver’s licenses and to rebuke the Democratic governor for defying his interpretation of a new law. Attorney General Kris Kobach went to a state court in hopes of getting an order to stop Gov. Laura Kelly and agencies under her control to stop allowing the changes to transgender people’s licenses. Kobach contends a law that took effect Saturday prevents such changes and requires the state to reverse any previous changes in its records, including about 1,300 made over

July 07, 2023
Kansas attorney general sues to prevent transgender people from changing driver's licenses
World

Man swept into Omaha manhole during heavy rain was washed down pipes for a mile before rescue

Firefighters rescued two men who fell into a manhole during heavy rain in downtown Omaha on Friday, including one who was washed about a mile (1.6 kilometers) through sewer pipes before getting trapped behind a metal grate. The men, who were workers for a private contractor, Ace Pipe Cleaning, were swept into a manhole near the Old Market just after 9 a.m., the Omaha World-Herald quoted Lt. Neal Bonacci of the Omaha Police Department as saying. One of the men, who was tethered to a safety system, was quickly pulled out. A large-scale rescue effort ensued

July 07, 2023
Man swept into Omaha manhole during heavy rain was washed down pipes for a mile before rescue
World

Phillies' John Middleton and Royals' John Sherman join MLB relocation committee, AP source says

Owners of teams in two of the Oakland Athletics’ former cities will help evaluate whether the franchise should move to Las Vegas. Philadelphia Phillies chief executive officer John Middleton and Kansas City Royals CEO John Sherman will serve on Major League Baseball’s relocation committee, a person familiar with their appointment told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made. They join Milwaukee Brewers chairman Mark Attanasio, picked last month by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to chair the relocation committee. That group will evaluate the team’s application, define

July 07, 2023
Phillies' John Middleton and Royals' John Sherman join MLB relocation committee, AP source says
World

What to stream this week: 'Asteroid City,' Lukas Nelson, 'Quarterback' and 'Secrets of Playboy'

Albums from Lukas Nelson and Kool & The Gang plus a Spanish-language spin-off of “Bird Box” are among the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you. Among the offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists are the dinosaur-hunting video game Exoprimal and the new Netflix series “Quarterback,” which takes an unprecedented look at the lives of popular QBs Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota. NEW MOVIES TO STREAM — Wes Anderson’s stylish and star-studded “Asteroid City” is coming to premium video on demand (VOD) on Tuesday. This outing is

July 07, 2023
What to stream this week: 'Asteroid City,' Lukas Nelson, 'Quarterback' and 'Secrets of Playboy'
World

Northwestern suspends coach Pat Fitzgerald for 2 weeks without pay following hazing investigation

Northwestern suspended coach Pat Fitzgerald for two weeks without pay Friday following an investigation into alleged hazing within the football program. The school said an investigation led by attorney Maggie Hickey of law firm ArentFox Schiff did not find “sufficient” evidence that the coaching staff knew about ongoing hazing. But investigators found there were “significant opportunities” to find out about it and report the conduct. Fitzgerald started serving his suspension on Friday. He said in a statement he was “very disappointed” when he heard about the hazing allegations. “Northwestern football prides itself on producing not just athletes, but fine young

July 07, 2023
Northwestern suspends coach Pat Fitzgerald for 2 weeks without pay following hazing investigation
World

Biden adviser says US is pressing for the release of reporter who has spent 100 days in Russian jail

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday said the U.S. has been in contact with Russian officials to press for the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich as Friday marked the 100th day of the journalist being detained by the Russian government. Sullivan said he also spoke with Gershkovich’s family representatives and Wall Street Journal officials on Friday about the status of the case and the administration’s efforts to win the reporter’s release. The Kremlin earlier this week suggested that it was open to a possible prisoner exchange that could involve Gershkovich, but

July 07, 2023
Biden adviser says US is pressing for the release of reporter who has spent 100 days in Russian jail
World

DNA testing leads to former US Army soldier in 1978 killing of woman in Germany

DNA testing has led to the arrest of a Nebraska man who was repeatedly questioned over decades in the 1978 stabbing death of a woman while he was stationed with the U.S. Army in Germany, authorities said. Tommy Molina, 69, was arrested in the western Nebraska city of Gering on June 21, the U.S. Marshals Service in Omaha said in a statement Thursday. He is awaiting extradition to Germany to face a murder charge. German prosecutors in the Bavarian city of Schweinfurt believe Molina, 24 at the time, was having an extramarital affair with 18-year-old Cornelia Hümpfer when she was

July 07, 2023
DNA testing leads to former US Army soldier in 1978 killing of woman in Germany
World

Texas Rangers have 5 All-Star starters after García added along with Baltimore's Hays

Texas will become the first team in 47 years to have five position players start in the All-Star Game after the Rangers’ Adolis García and the Baltimore Orioles Austin Hays were picked Friday to join the American League lineup as injury replacements. The pair take over from the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge and the Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout. García joins Rangers catcher Jonah Heim, second baseman Marcus Semien, shortstop Corey Seager and third baseman Josh Jung in the AL lineup for Tuesday’s game at Seattle. The non-Rangers are Tampa Bay first baseman Yandy Díaz

July 07, 2023
Texas Rangers have 5 All-Star starters after García added along with Baltimore's Hays
World

A 10-year-old Canadian girl is wowing the skateboarding world. Tony Hawk is her mentor for X Games

Skateboarding is more than just a way of life for Reese Nelson, it’s all she’s ever known. The 10-year-old Canadian can’t remember when she first started skating or when she first dropped into a halfpipe, it’s just been omnipresent. Given that, it’s no surprise she has caught the attention of skateboarding great Tony Hawk. Nelson, from Calgary, Alberta, will be competing in the women’s vert and the best trick events at the upcoming X-Games. Skating in the women’s vert is especially important for Nelson, because that event hasn’t been held at the X-Games since 2010, three years before she was

July 07, 2023
A 10-year-old Canadian girl is wowing the skateboarding world. Tony Hawk is her mentor for X Games
World

2 men arrested in shooting that killed 3 people and injured 8 in Texas

Two men were arrested Friday in a shooting that killed three people and injured eight others as a crowd of hundreds gathered in a Texas neighborhood on the eve of the Fourth of July, police said. Christopher Redic Jr., 20, and Brandon Williams, 19, were both taken into custody on murder charges related to the shooting late July 3 in the Fort Worth neighborhood of Como, Fort Worth police Chief Neil Noakes said. Noakes said investigators believe the shooting was gang-related and followed some kind of altercation. He said there could be additional arrests. Police had previously

July 07, 2023
2 men arrested in shooting that killed 3 people and injured 8 in Texas
World

Matthew Wolff says LIV Golf captain Brooks Koepka calling him a quitter is 'heartbreaking'

Matthew Wolff says it was “heartbreaking” to hear his LIV Golf captain Brooks Koepka call him a quitter, issuing a statement to Sports Illustrated on Friday that said he continues to deal with mental health challenges on and off the course. “While my 2023 season has not been all I had hoped for to this point, I have made positive strides in managing my life and feel like my game is turning for the positive,” Wolff said in his statement to SI. “To hear through the media that our team leader has given up on

July 07, 2023
Matthew Wolff says LIV Golf captain Brooks Koepka calling him a quitter is 'heartbreaking'
World

Jay Monahan to return to PGA Tour commissioner role after month break

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan is returning to work just over a month after he stepped away for a “medical situation,” saying a two-year battle that ended in a surprise agreement with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf had been “grueling for all of us.” Monahan informed the PGA Tour’s policy board, players and staff Friday evening that he will return to his role on July 17, the week of the British Open. He said June 13 he was turning over day-to-day duties to two of his executives, just one week after announcing the commercial agreement with Saudi Arabia’s national

July 07, 2023
Jay Monahan to return to PGA Tour commissioner role after month break
World

Leslie Van Houten, follower of cult leader Charles Manson, is one big step closer to freedom

California’s governor announced Friday that he won’t ask the state Supreme Court to block parole for Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten, paving the way for her release after serving 53 years in prison for two infamous murders. In a brief statement, the governor’s office said an appeal was unlikely to succeed. Newsom is disappointed, the statement said. “More than 50 years after the Manson cult committed these brutal killings, the victims’ families still feel the impact,” the statement said. Van Houten, now in her 70s, is serving a life sentence for helping Manson and other

July 08, 2023
Leslie Van Houten, follower of cult leader Charles Manson, is one big step closer to freedom
World

Philadelphia community tries to heal from trauma as shooter's mental health comes into focus

In the weeks before Kimbrady Carriker opened fire at random with an AR-15 in southwest Philadelphia killing five people and wounding four others including several children, the few people close to him had watched him grow increasingly agitated and erratic, sometimes pacing the house wearing a bulletproof vest, prosecutors and others have said. Now, in the wake of Monday’s bloodshed, officials are urging people to call police or the city’s mental health resource line when they see suspicious social media posts or think somebody might need help. And as Carriker’s possible mental health issues increasingly come into

July 08, 2023
Philadelphia community tries to heal from trauma as shooter's mental health comes into focus
World

Bailey Tardy brings her best to Pebble Beach for early lead at US Women's Open

Bailey Tardy picked a good time and a beautiful location to play her best golf. Tardy made eagle on the par-5 sixth hole at Pebble Beach for the second straight day as part of a torrid start to her second round Friday in the U.S. Women’s Open, and she held steady the rest of the way for a 4-under 68 and a one-shot lead among the early starters. She fit the profile of a 36-hole leader at a historic Women’s Open in which the stars have been nearly as absent as the sun behind a

July 08, 2023
Bailey Tardy brings her best to Pebble Beach for early lead at US Women's Open
World

Cameron Young leads John Deere Classic by 2, seeking long-awaited first tour win

Cameron Young shot a 7-under 64 on Friday to take a two-stroke lead halfway through the John Deere Classic and put himself into position to erase an unwelcome distinction from his PGA Tour resume. Young was at 13-under 129 at TPC Deere Run, with Garrick Higgo (66), Adam Schenk (66) and Brendon Todd (65) chasing at 11 under. The 26-year-old Young did everything but win last season en route to being named the tour’s rookie of the year. He was the runner-up at the British Open, tied for third at the PGA Championship and played on

July 08, 2023
Cameron Young leads John Deere Classic by 2, seeking long-awaited first tour win
World

Corbin Carroll returns to Arizona lineup a day after leaving because of shoulder soreness

All-Star rookie Corbin Carroll was back in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ lineup Friday, a day after coming out because of a second recent shoulder scare. An MRI taken early Friday showed no structural damage, and Carroll and Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said it mirrored all previous assessments of the right shoulder that was surgically repaired after the outfielder had a torn labrum in May 2021. Carroll came out Thursday night against the New York Mets after a swing, the second time in a week he left due to pain in the shoulder. “We got some unbelievable news,” Lovullo

July 08, 2023
Corbin Carroll returns to Arizona lineup a day after leaving because of shoulder soreness

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