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Patrick Marleau poised to break Gordie Howe's games record

Growing up on a farm as a hockey-loving kid in Saskatchewan, the knowledge that players like Gordie Howe had made the journey from that remote province to the NHL gave Patrick Marleau belief that he could one day follow that same path. Marleau has done far more than just make it to the NHL. Marleau is set to break Howe's all-time games played record in the NHL. Marleau has played in 1,765 career games and is poised to tie Howe’s mark of 1,767 on Saturday night in Minnesota and break it two nights later in Las Vegas.

Jaylen Brown scores 40, Celtics beat Lakers 121-113

The Boston Celtics blew most of a 27-point lead in the fourth quarter before holding on for a 121-113 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Jaylen Brown scored 40 points in the Celtics' fifth straight victory. Brown made 13 of his first 14 shots and hit three 3-pointers while falling two points shy of his career high for the Celtics, who have won eight of 11 despite an embarrassing finish at Staples Center. Boston led 113-86 with seven minutes to play, shortly after coach Brad Stevens pulled his starters. But Talen Horton-Tucker and Ben McLemore led a 24-2 run.

A look at new Biden administration sanctions against Russia

The Biden administration on Thursday rolled out a sweeping set of sanctions on Russia over its election interference, hacking campaigns and other malign activity. A look at those sanctions: ELECTION-RELATED SANCTIONS The Treasury Department sanctioned 16 people and 16 entities…

China ramps up vaccination drive with free eggs, other goods

China’s success at controlling the coronavirus outbreak has resulted in a population that has seemed almost reluctant to get vaccinated. Now it is accelerating its inoculation campaign by offering incentives such as free eggs, store coupons and discounts on groceries and merchandise to those getting a shot. Because China used strict border controls and quick lockdowns when new outbreaks crop up, people can dine out in restaurants and the risk of infection is low, so many are not in a rush to get vaccinated. Now, a top government doctor has announced a June goal of vaccinating 560 million of the country’s 1.4 billion people. 

AP Week in Pictures: Latin America and Caribbean

APRIL 8-15, 2021 This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press Photographers in Latin America and the Caribbean. It was curated by AP photojournalist Fernando Llano in Mexico City Follow AP visual…

Curry scores 33, Warriors roll to 119-101 win over Cavaliers

Stephen Curry scored  33 points — topping 30 for a career-best ninth consecutive game — as the Golden State Warriors pulled away for a 119-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Curry, who made an NBA-record 29 3-pointers over the previous three games, is averaging 38.2 points during his run. Andrew Wiggins scored 23 points, Juan Toscano-Anderson had 20 points and Draymond Green added five points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for Golden State, which has won four in a row. Collin Sexton scored 30 points and Jarrett Allen had 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Cleveland has lost 16 of its last 17 to Golden State.

A look at new Biden administration sanctions against Russia

The Biden administration on Thursday rolled out a sweeping set of sanctions on Russia over its election interference, hacking campaigns and other malign activity. A look at those sanctions: ELECTION-RELATED SANCTIONS The Treasury Department sanctioned 16 people and 16 entities…

Sanctioned Russian IT firm was partner with Microsoft, IBM

Six Russian technology companies have been slapped with sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department for supporting Kremlin intelligence agencies for engaging in “dangerous and disruptive cyber attacks." But one stands out for its international footprint and partnerships with such IT heavyweights as Microsoft and IBM. Positive Technologies claims more than 2,000 customers in 30 countries. The Treasury Department said its clients also include the FSB, a successor to the KGB that “cultivates and co-opts criminal hackers” who carry out ransomware and phishing attacks. It said the company's hacker conferences are used as recruiting events for Russian intelligence agencies.

Collier, Kuier taken 1-2 by Dallas Wings in WNBA draft

The Dallas Wings chose Charli Collier of Texas and Finnish player Awak Kuier with the first two picks of the WNBA draft. It’s the first time in league history that a team had picks No. 1 and 2. The Wings acquired the top pick in a February trade after being awarded the second choice in the draft lottery. For the second straight season, the draft was held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced picks from an ESPN studio in New York. Aari McDonald of Arizona went third to Atlanta, and Kysre Gondrezick of West Virginia went fourth to Indiana.

NFL inks sports bet deals with Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings

Once one of the staunchest opponents of allowing people to legally bet on its games, the National Football League has reached deals with three gambling companies to become official sports betting partners. The NFL is partnering with Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings and FanDuel. They'll get the use of NFL trademarks and official league data, and will integrate their own betting content into NFL.com and the league’s app. The NFL was among the professional sports leagues that fought New Jersey’s efforts to overturn a ban on legal sports betting in most of the country. New Jersey won a U.S. Supreme Court case in 2018 that led to the explosion of legal sports betting since then.

EXPLAINER: Can officers stop drivers for air fresheners?

The mother of a 20-year-old Black man who was fatally shot by Minnesota police this week says it all started when police pulled her son over for having air fresheners hanging from his rearview mirror. Some people might ask how an air freshener can be the basis for a traffic stop. Minnesota is one of a number of states with laws that prohibit drivers from hanging objects from their rearview mirrors on the grounds that the items could obstruct their view. The laws have led to vehement complaints from civil rights advocates who say police can use them as a pretext for stopping Black motorists to investigate them for more serious crimes.

LEADING OFF: NL West showdown in SD, Cubs skipper suspended

San Diego rookie Ryan Weathers makes his first big league start when Mookie Betts and the champion Dodgers visit Petco Park in the first matchup this season between the NL West rivals. Los Angeles swept the Padres in the NL Division Series last year, and both teams added more stars in the offseason. Walker Buehler is lined up to pitch for the Dodgers, who own the best record in the majors this year. Weathers, a 21-year-old lefty, has a 1.50 ERA in three relief appearances since making his debut this season.

Iran to purchase 60M Russian vaccines as coronavirus surges

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran has finalized a deal with Russia to purchase 60 million doses of Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the state-run IRNA news agency reported Thursday. The report quotes Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, as saying the…

Giannis returns to Bucks after missing 6 games with knee

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has returned to the Milwaukee Bucks’ lineup after missing six games with an ailing left knee. Antetokounmpo rejoined the Bucks as they visited Atlanta to take on the surging Hawks who have won 16 of 21 games since Nate McMillan took over as interim coach. The Bucks went into the game holding down the third spot in the Eastern Conference, 5 1/2 games ahead of the fourth-place Hawks. Milwaukee went 3-3 while their star was sidelined.

Dodgers gather at Jackie Robinson statue to pay respects

Manager Dave Roberts and the Los Angeles Dodgers started Jackie Robinson Day with a private tribute to the Hall of Famer and civil rights advocate. Wearing their No. 42 jerseys in honor of the Brooklyn Dodgers great, on-field personnel and others from the organization — approximately 75 in total — gathered around the Jackie Robinson statute at Dodger Stadium to pay their respects. The ceremony came several hours before the Dodgers hosted the Colorado Rockies. Robinson broke the big league color barrier on April 15, 1947. Major League Baseball has retired his No. 42 and every player, manager, coach and umpire now wears it on the anniversary of his debut.

Browns, Raiders players say they'll skip offseason workouts

The Browns are the latest NFL team to say they'll skip mandated in-person workouts. Following the advice of center and NFL Players Association President JC Tretter, Cleveland’s players joined a list of teams who say they’ll skip voluntary in-person workouts this offseason. They joined the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos and others in saying they’ll exercise their collectively bargained rights not to take part in the workouts, which were scheduled to begin next week. The Las Vegas Raiders followed suit later with their players releasing a statement through the NFLPA that they also wouldn’t participate in the voluntary offseason program.

In Texas, GOP voting bills zero in on Democratic Houston

The nation’s next big voting battle is underway in Texas. Legislation advancing in the GOP-controlled Texas Capitol could outlaw 24-hour polling places, eliminate drive-thru voting and make it a crime for elections officials to mail unsolicited absentee ballot applications. Put another way, Republicans would ban everything Democratic Houston did to expand ballot access last year, when the threat of the coronavirus made voting in-person more hazardous. Republicans have angrily rejected accusations that they are trying to suppress minority turnout, saying the measures only rein in powers county leaders never had in the first place. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott supports the measures.

California Legislature OKs bill to help displaced workers

The California Legislature has passed a bill requiring some hotels and event centers to offer laid-off workers their jobs back. The bill lawmakers sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday applies to employees who had their jobs at least six months before the pandemic started and who lost their jobs because of coronavirus-related reasons. Many Republicans opposed the bill, arguing it puts a burden on businesses by making them susceptible to fines of $500 per employee per day. Newsom has not said if he will sign the bill. He vetoed a similar bill last year because he said it was too broad.

Florida 'anti-riot' bill goes to governor amid racial strife

Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature has approved stiffer penalties against violent protesters. It delivers a major legislative victory to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who began campaigning for the measure following a summer of turmoil across the country over the killings of Black people by police. A divided Florida Senate approved a so-called anti-riot bill as the trial of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was underway for the death of George Floyd. Floyd's killing triggered waves of protests under the banner of the Black Lives Matter movement. Supporters say tougher laws are need to deter violent protests, but opponents say it would curtail the right to free speech and to peaceably assemble. 

Regulators rebuke PG&E for neglect in reducing wildfire risk

California power regulators are stepping up their oversight of Pacific Gas & Electric after finding that the utility has neglected the maintenance of an electrical grid that has ignited a series of deadly wildfires in Northern California and forced periodic blackouts affecting millions of people. The reprimand delivered Thursday to PG&E served as official notice that it hasn’t been doing enough to reduce the risks posed by a combination of crumbling equipment and overgrown trees near its power lines. It marks the first step in a process that could eventually lead to regulators revoking PG&E’s utility license. PG&E says it's made improvements to its tree-trimming program and will continue as part of its wildfire prevention efforts this summer.

Cameron Smith leads RBC Heritage after career-low 62

Cameron Smith birdied the difficult 17th and 18th holes at Harbour Town to shoot a 9-under 62 and take a one-stroke lead over Stewart Cink at the RBC Heritage. Smith followed up his second top-10 finish at the Masters in five months by matching the lowest opening round at the Heritage. The 47-year-old Cink is a two-time champion at Harbour Town who's enjoying a resurgence this season. PGA Championship winner Collin Morikawa and Matt Wallace were three shots back. World No. 1 Dustin Johnson opened with a 70. He played with Masters runner-up Will Zalatoris, who shot 68.

Streak breaker: Kepler singles in 9th, as Twins edge Red Sox

Max Kepler’s RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Minnesota a 4-3 victory over Boston, stopping a five-game losing streak for the Twins and breaking a nine-game winning string for the Red Sox. The Red Sox tied it in the eighth on Alex Verdugo’s three-run double. They were on their longest winning streak since a 10-game run in 2018, the season they won the World Series. The Twins avoided matching their longest losing streak in three years under manager Rocco Baldelli, a six-game slide from July 31-Aug. 5, 2020. Kepler singled with the bases loaded off Adam Ottavino.

NHL delays Canucks' return to play after COVID-19 outbreak

The NHL has delayed the Vancouver Canucks’ return to competition. The Canucks have not played a game since March 24 due to a COVID-19 outbreak. They were previously scheduled to host the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night. The league says the team won't play that game and it did not immediately set a new date for Vancouver's return. The league says the decision was made with input from the NHL Players’ Association and medical staff from teams. The NHL plans to announce additional changes to the schedule for North Division teams on Friday.

Cubs' Tepera suspended for 3 games, manager Ross 1 by MLB

Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Tepera was suspended for three games by Major League Baseball, which concluded he intentionally threw at Milwaukee’s Brandon Woodruff this week. Tepera appealed the penalty handed down by MLB senior vice president for on-field operations Michael Hill. Tepera, who also was fined, will not have to serve any discipline while the appeal is pending before MLB special adviser John McHale Jr. Cubs manager David Ross was suspended for one game and fined because of Tepera’s actions. Managers immediately serve discipline, and Ross will sit out the Cubs’ series opener against Atlanta on Friday.