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Russia bombards Odesa and other southern Ukraine port cities for third night since end of grain deal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia pounded Ukraine’s southern cities with drones and missiles for a third consecutive night Thursday, keeping Odesa in the Kremlin’s crosshairs after a bitter dispute over the end of a wartime deal that allowed Ukraine to send grain through the key Black Sea port.The strikes killed at least two people in Odesa. In the nearby city of Mykolaiv, which is close to the Black Sea, at least 19 people were injured, including a child, Ukrainian officials said.Russia has targeted Ukrainian critical grain export infrastructure since it vowed “retribution” this week for an attack that damaged a crucial bridge between Russia and the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula. Russian officials blamed that strike on Ukrainian drone boats.The strikes on Ukraine’s grain export infrastructure have helped drive up food prices in countries facing hunger. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the end of the deal Monday would result in more human suffering, with potenti...

Kicked cooler lands Mariners OF Jarred Kelenic on IL with broken foot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners outfielder Jared Kelenic broke a bone in his left foot kicking a water cooler following a ninth-inning strikeout.Kelenic was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, a day after the getting hurt.Kelenic was apologetic fighting through tears for letting his emotions get out of hand and expressing his frustration.“I made a mistake. I let the emotions get the best of me there. I just feel terrible, especially for the guys,” Kelenic said. “I just let the emotions get the best of me and I just let them down and take full responsibility for it. It’s on me. It just can’t happen.”Seattle manager Scott Servais said Kelenic will be out for an extended period of time but did not estimate a timeframe. The team doesn’t believe surgery will be needed.Kelenic’s injury occurred in the ninth inning of Seattle’s 6-3 loss to Minnesota on Wednesday night. With two runners on in the ninth inning, Kelenic had a nine-pitch at-bat against closer Jhoan Duran that included ...

United States winger Tim Weah ready for the challenge of replacing Juan Cuadrado at Juventus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

TURIN, Italy (AP) — United States winger Tim Weah has a lot to live up to after joining Juventus from Lille.Not only is he the son of one of the top players to have plied his trade in Italian soccer — former FIFA Player of the Year and current Liberian President George Weah — but the 23-year-old will have to replace Juan Cuadrado.The Colombia international signed a one-year deal with Inter Milan on Wednesday after eight seasons at Juventus.“Definitely a responsibility, because what he’s done at the club has been amazing, I mean for me he’s a legend,” Weah said about Cuadrado in a news conference on Thursday. “Just watching his every move, his plays and what he’s done for the club has been great. And, you know, I can only just be inspired.“So, you know, I just pray to God and hopefully, you know, I put in the work, work hard and … definitely some big shoes to fill. But I’m ready for the challenge.”Weah’s father also played in Italy, for AC Milan, but recently told Italian newsp...

Four new casinos, video gambling could be on horizon as North Carolina Republicans negotiate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — As many as four new casinos as well as video gambling machines could be authorized in North Carolina under proposals now being discussed by legislators, the top General Assembly leaders said on Thursday. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters separately about the ideas, which they said have yet to reach the level of formal legislation that could be voted upon. But details about those ideas and some potential bill language are being exchanged, the Republican leaders said, reflecting an upgrade in negotiations that have waited in the wings for months during this year’s legislative session. The negotiations appear intertwined with extended talks over a final two-year state budget that was supposed to be enacted by July 1. Votes on any outstanding legislation from this year’s work session — including any budget agreement — now are not likely to happen until at least early August, the lawmakers said. “I would anticipate that if at ...

Wheaton High School hosts inaugural DC South Asian Music Fest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews the DC South Asian Music Fest (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); Growing up in India, Manoj Singh listened to Western music like ABBA, Sting and The Beatles.Now, he wants to reverse the cultural exchange and bring Indian music to Montgomery County.The inaugural D.C. South Asian Music Festival launches this weekend with three nights this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Sil...

Smile! Jets have a change of heart for their summer appearance on ‘Hard Knocks’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Robert Saleh and the New York Jets are fully tuned in now to their turn on “Hard Knocks.”After making it clear last month the Jets would prefer to not be on the HBO documentary series this summer, Saleh showed up to his first news conference of training camp Thursday decked out in a black long-sleeved T-shirt that displayed his change of heart.“I (green heart) HK” was printed on the Jets coach’s chest in white capital letters.It’s all lights, cameras, action — and no hard feelings — now.“Just talking with ‘Hard Knocks,’ they’ve got a great group of people working with us,” Saleh said after practice Thursday. “We expressed some of our concerns and they answered it. And, you know, it’s going to be fine.”When the Jets were being discussed last month as the potential team to be featured on the series produced by HBO and NFL Films, Saleh and the Jets openly rooted against it.“I know there’s several teams that would love for ‘Hard Knocks’ ...

NASCAR driver Justin Haley set to leave Kaulig, sign multi-year deal with Rick Ware

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Justin Haley will leave Kaulig Racing at the end of this season and has signed a multi-year deal to drive for Rick Ware Racing starting in 2024.The 24-year-old Haley had his only Cup victory in July 2019 at Daytona, in just his third start. He’s had a full-time ride at Kaulig since 2022 and has five top-10 finishes this season. He is 23rd in points ahead of this weekend’s NASCAR stop at Pocono Raceway.Haley also has four career Xfinity Series wins and three more in Trucks.“This is a unique opportunity that I look forward to,” Haley said. “There are many key pieces of this program I believe can help me in taking the next steps in my NASCAR career. I look forward to working with our key partners, and many additional RWR partners to be announced soon.”Rick Ware Racing does not have a full-time driver in either of its two cars this season. The team will announce Haley’s car number and sponsor at a later date.___AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-r...

Denver weather: Severe thunderstorm watch across the metro

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — After some early storms start off Thursday morning, the metro may see some pockets of sunshine throughout the day before storms arrive again in the afternoon in the Denver weather forecast.A severe thunderstorm watch was issued across the metro area, including for Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson and Weld counties. The watch is in effect until 9 p.m. and includes counties on the plains. Man dies on hiking trail in Rocky Mountain National Park Severe storms are expected south and east of the metro with an enhanced risk for severe storms on the Eastern Plains.Weather today: Strong storms on the plainsWith extra clouds in Denver on Thursday, highs will be limited to the upper 70s with a few rounds of storms.Storms pushed through the city before sunrise and another round is expected in the afternoon. These storms will limit the severity in the metro and northern Front Range for the afternoon.Pinpoint Weather: Daily forecast on July 20. S...

Colorado's paid sick leave law will expand in August

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Coloradans will be able to use paid sick time for more reasons starting in August.Colorado lawmakers passed a law this year to expand the reasons employees can use state-required paid sick leave. Sen. Faith Winter and Reps. Jenny Willford and Junie Joseph, all Democrats, were the prime sponsors. Casa Bonita employees demand answers, start petition The new law adds two provisions to what's allowed for paid sick leave, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment:Bereavement, or financial/legal needs after a death of a family memberDue to inclement weather, power/heat/water loss or other unexpected event, the employee must evacuate their residence or care for a family member whose school or place of care was closed.This adds to what else paid sick leave can be used for in Colorado:Inability to work due to a mental or physical illness, injury or health condition.Obtaining preventive medical care (including vaccination), or medical diagnosis/care/treatm...

Denver school board to hold special meeting Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Public Schools board will hold a special meeting Friday about a contested executive session that led to a reversal of school resource officer policy.FOX31 is among several news outlets that sued the district, arguing the closed-door meeting was illegal. While a judge sided with the media in June and ordered a recording of the meeting to be released, the district appealed. 7 winning Powerball tickets sold in Colorado It's unclear what will happen at the Friday meeting, although the agenda said it will be an update and discussion of the executive session in question. Board of Education Vice President Auon'tai Anderson addressed the meeting in a tweet."Finally our community can have some closure IF the Board votes to release this footage," Anderson said.The media coalition's attorney argued the March 23 session was improper because the district did not provide sufficient public notice on all the items that were being discussed.The meeting was held in March,...