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‘We persevered’: Spiritual home of Black cricket in Zimbabwe finally gets international recognition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Bill Flower realized 30 years ago that cricket wouldn’t survive, let alone bloom, in Zimbabwe unless it reached out to the country’s Black majority and found a place in their hearts.Part of his plan finally came together two weeks ago when Takashinga Cricket Club, set in one of the country’s oldest Black townships, hosted an international game for the first time.The spiritual home of Black cricket in Zimbabwe, where players looked after the pitch and planted the grass themselves in its early days, finally became a fully fledged international venue when West Indies beat the United States in a Cricket World Cup qualifying game on June 18.It was a landmark match in which Takashinga lived up to its name, which means “We persevered” in the local Shona language.“It’s absolutely fantastic and I know that my father would be very proud to witness it, and I’m certainly proud,” said Bill Flower’s son, Andy, the former Zimbabwe captain and Ashes-w...

Angel City and Gotham FC play to scoreless draw

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

HARRISON, N.J. (AP) — Goalkeeper DiDi Haracic made three saves for Angel City in a 0-0 draw with Gotham FC in the lone match Sunday in the National Women’s Soccer League. Haracic stopped a pair of shots by Gotham’s Delanie Sheehan and Yazmeen Ryan in the space of four minutes in the first half. Angel City (3-6-5) is undefeated in three straight matches, but remains mired in 11th place in the league standings. Gotham (6-4-4) is in fifth. There was a touching moment when Mana Shim subbed into the game in the second half and was greeted with a warm ovation. Shim was one of the players who came forward in 2021 with allegations of misconduct and sexual coercion against former NWSL coach Paul Riley, spurring a pair of investigations that misbehavior was systemic in the league. Riley, who no longer coaches in the league, denied the allegations. Shim had not played in an NWSL game since 2018. Ange City’s Jun Endo, who is on Japan’s roster for the upcoming Women’...

Breanna Stewart scores 20, Courtney Vandersloot adds 18 and 12 assists, Liberty beats Storm 81-66

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — Breanna Stewart had 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists, Courtney Vandersloot added 18 points and 12 assists and the New York Liberty beat the Seattle Storm 81-66 Sunday. Vandersloot had her fifth double-double, and her seventh game with at least 10 assists, this season. Sabrina Ionescu scored 13 points and Betnijah Laney finished with 10 for New York (11-4). Stewart made to mid-range jumpers and then assisted on a 3-pointer by Ionescu that made it 7-0 and the Liberty never trailed. Marine Johannes hit a 3 to close the first quarter and another to open the second that stretched the lead to 15 points and Ionescu made a 3-pointer about 2 1/2 minutes into the second half that gave New York its biggest lead of the game at 49-27. Jewell Loyd, who went into the game leading the league in scoring at 25.7 per game (Stewart is tied with Arike Ogunbowale for No. 2 at 22.1), led Seattle (4-11) with 27 points. Ezi Magbegor added 12 points and Sami Whitcomb and Kia Nurse sco...

Choque de camión con migrantes en México deja al menos 4 muertos y múltiples heridos

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

El choque de un autobús con un camión que transportaba migrantes en una carretera de Nuevo León, México, dejó al menos cuatro muertos y múltiples heridos este domingo, informó el Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM).El accidente sucedió en el municipio de Galeana y tres de los fallecidos viajaban en el camión, entre ellos, un migrante hondureño identificado como Pedro Bartolo Urbina, de 34 años, reportan medios hondureños. Las otras dos personas no han sido identificadas debido a que no contaban con con su documentación. Un ciudadano mexicano que viajaba como copiloto en el autobús también falleció, dijo el INM. Sube la cifra de muertos tras la caída de autobús lleno de migrantes a un precipicio Se vuelca autobús con migrantes en México: hay al menos 17 muertos y decenas heridos Ocho migrantes provenientes de Honduras, Ecuador y Cuba resultaron heridos y fueron trasladados al Hospital General de Galeana y al Hospital Metropo...

‘We the People’ March: Rain no obstacle for hundreds in Fort Lauderdale protesting new Florida, US laws

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

Rain or shine, hundreds of people took to the streets of Fort Lauderdale to rally against a series of federal and state decisions that they say restrict their rights. Now they are calling for people to take action and exercise their right to vote. Raindrops weren’t enough to drown out the drumbeat from demonstrators, Sunday afternoon.“Hey, ho, DeSantis gotta go!” they chanted.The “We the People” March in Fort Lauderdale dripped with disdain for many of the laws enacted by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican supermajority in the state Legislature.“It’s a coalition of more 50 organizations that are fighting for our basic freedom and democracy,” said Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.Weinstein said more than 1,000 bills taking rights away have been introduced around the country.“These bills are being introduced in 48 states. It’s not just about Florida, right?” he said. “This i...

South Florida dog rescue founder reacts to new state law prohibiting pit bull bans in Miami-Dade

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

LOXAHATCHEE GROVES, Fla. (WSVN) — A new Florida law prohibiting bans on certain dog breeds comes as big news for the founder of a South Florida animal shelter.At the center of the new law are pit bulls, animals that those who run rescue facilities in the Sunshine State argue are often misunderstood.Their size and stature, coupled with a checkered breed history as fighting dogs, mean no other kind of canine finds itself at these shelters more than pit bulls.It’s something that Big Dog Ranch Rescue founder Lauree Simmons sees every day in Loxahatchee Groves.“Owner surrenders are up 60%. Forty percent of that is due to breed discrimination, where people are downsizing, renting somewhere smaller or moving into a different community,” she said.But times may be changing.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill outlawing a ban on pit bulls in Miami-Dade County. It also walks back housing restrictions based on breed or weight.“This was an unnecessary ban that co...

‘Everyone jumped in to help’: Owner of Laconia, NH bar addresses crash that left dozens hurt, 14 hospitalized

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

Police are investigating after a vehicle crashed into a bar in Laconia, New Hampshire, on Sunday, leaving dozens of people injured and 14 hospitalized, officials said.Officers responding to a report of a vehicle into a building at 554 Endicott St. around 12:45 p.m. found a four-door sedan inside the Looney Bin Bar & Grill with numerous people injured, according to the Laconia Fire Department.Fourteen of the injured were taken to Laconia Hospital in Concord, Concord Hospital, and Franklin Hospital. Two of the patients who were transported had significant lower leg injuries, the others had lacerations. Twenty people were evaluated at the scene and didn’t require medical transport.The owner, Michelle Watson, told 7NEWS it was a miracle that no one was killed and credited patrons with springing into action to help the wounded.“I’m just so grateful that everyone’s OK,” she said, adding that the most seriously injured person became pinned in the bathroom....

Fire breaks out at Andover restaurant

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

Fire officials are investigating the cause of a blaze that broke out in a restaurant in Andover on Sunday.Crews responding to a reported structure fire at Daxi on Essex Street found the restaurant in flames.Video from the scene showed crews breaking windows and cutting away a section of wall to access the fire.There were no reported injuries.The cause remains under investigation.

Day 2 of NASCAR in Chicago: Shane Van Gisbergen wins Grant Park 220

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

Organizers dealt with poor weather conditions all day Sunday for Day 2 of NASCAR in Chicago.Torrential downpours caused flooding issues throughout Chicago Sunday. Latest forecast updates here.After all the commotions and delays caused by rain throughout the day, Shane Van Gisbergen took home first place in the Grant Park 220 Sprint Cup Series Race Sunday evening.A day of firsts for NASCAR was also a day of firsts for Van Gisbergen. The New Zealand native won his first NASCAR race in his first ever NASCAR start in the first ever street race held by NASCAR.Gates were scheduled to open at 9 a.m. but officials tweeted that it would be delayed due to weather. They opened at 10:15 a.m.Around 12:30 p.m. officials canceled the remainder of the Xfinity Series race and declared Cole Custer the winner. The green flag for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 220 was originally moved back to 4:05 p.m., before being moved back again to 5:15 p.m. to accommodate poor weather conditions.Below are r...

CTA, Metra suspend services due to poor track conditions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

Metra and the CTA both announced train services have been temporarily suspended in certain areas in and around Chicago Sunday due to poor track conditions.According to Metra, UPW trains will not operate between Chicago and Oak Park due to high standing water, while trains will not depart from Chicago and only operate from Oak Park to Elburn.Metra Officials urge those affected to seek alternate transportation.According to the CTA, Blue Line train service has been temporarily suspended between their UIC Halsted and Kedzie stops due to poor track conditions. Man in custody after ramming vehicle onto NASCAR Street Race course Metra and the CTA have not announced a timetable for service to return to affected train lines.