Search Results for: news

Lawyer: Egypt releases activist after 18 months of detention

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian authorities Tuesday released an activist known for his outspoken criticism of the government after he spent more than a year and a half in pre-trial detention, his lawyer said. Khaled Dawoud, an opposition leader and former…

Biden aims for bipartisanship but applies sly pressure

President Joe Biden has begun publicly courting Republicans to back his sweeping infrastructure plan, but his reach across the aisle is intended just as much to keep Democrats in line as it is a first step in an uphill climb to any bipartisan deal. The White House says Biden’s high-profile Oval Office meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Monday was just one piece of a fulsome attempt to win over GOP lawmakers. But even if it doesn’t succeed, it could prove useful by boxing in Republicans while helping to keep the widely disparate Democrats in line.

Congress to honor 2nd Capitol Police officer slain this year

Slain U.S. Capitol Police officer William “Billy” Evans will lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday. The tribute comes as part of the second such ceremony this year for a force that has edged close to crisis in the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection. President Joe Biden and congressional leaders will attend a ceremony for Evans, who was killed April 2 when a vehicle rammed into him and another officer at a barricade just 100 yards from the Senate side of the Capitol. Police shot and killed the driver when he left the vehicle armed with a knife.

Iran warns sabotage affects Vienna talks over nuclear deal

Iran’s foreign minister is warning that an attack on its main nuclear enrichment site at Natanz affects ongoing negotiations in Vienna over its tattered atomic deal with world powers. Mohammad Javad Zarif’s remarks, alongside visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, come as the U.S. insists it had nothing to do with the sabotage Sunday at the Natanz nuclear facility. While not claiming the attack, Israel is widely believed to have carried out the still-unexplained assault that damaged centrifuges there. Zarif said Tuesday that Americans "should know that these actions would only make situation difficult for them.”

Olympic torch runs through empty park in Osaka as cases rise

The Olympic torch relay has run through an empty Osaka park with no fans allowed for viewing. The relay had to be rerouted as new COVID-19 cases rise in Osaka and elsewhere in Japan. The torch relay began three weeks ago in northeastern Japan. It is attempting to navigate around the pandemic with a total of 10,000 runners crisscrossing the country and bound for the opening ceremony on July 23 in Tokyo. Osaka became the first detour since the relay began. Organizers warned beforehand there may be more. The second leg in Osaka will be in the same park under the same closed-doors conditions.

LEADING OFF: Red Sox-Twins delayed opener; Phils-Mets play 2

The Red Sox and Twins are scheduled to begin their series in Minnesota a day late. Monday’s opener of a four-game set at Target Field was postponed because of safety concerns following the fatal police shooting of a Black man in Minnesota and the potential for unrest in the area. The NBA’s Timberwolves and NHL’s Wild also postponed their games a day after the shooting of 20-year-old Daunte Wright following a traffic stop in a nearby suburb of Minneapolis. Meanwhile, the Cubs are concerned about a possible COVID-19 outbreak, Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon is on the injured list, and the Phillies and Mets are set for a seven-inning doubleheader at Citi Field following Monday night's rainout.

MLB's 2020 rookies debut all over again with fans in stands

The 212 players who made their major league debuts in 2020 got an unusual introduction to baseball's top level. This year, some say they're experiencing those debut jitters all over again as fans have been welcomed back to the ballpark. Young Marlins infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. said “every day is a new opening day” because of the crowds, which were missing during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season when he got his first cup of coffee with Miami. Some players, including Yermín Mercedes of the Chicago White Sox, have been met with massive ovations as fans get the chance to appreciate their talents in person for the first time.

Lightning and Maple Leafs among NHL trade deadline winners

The defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning went into the NHL trade deadline without much money to make a move. The cash-strapped Lightning still found a way to improve their chances of winning with a shrewd deal, acquiring defenseman David Savard. The Buffalo Sabres failed to get a great return for 2018 NHL MVP Taylor Hall on Monday before the league's trading deadline. Toronto and Boston were also among the teams that appeared to bolster their chances to at least contend this year with trades.

Canary Islands hotel offers shelter to migrants in need

When the pandemic took away their tourism trade, hotel director Calvin Lucock and his partner, restaurant owner Unn Tove Saetran, received a Spanish government contract to take in migrants and asylum seekers who had arrived on the Canary Islands in rudimentary boats, trying to reach Europe. The contract ended in February and the migrants were supposed to be transferred to new camps. But they found many were still sleeping in the streets. With hundreds of empty rooms, Saetran and Lucock decided to reopen their doors, this time at their own expense. Today, they provide food, shelter and care to 58 young African men.

Curry scores 53 as Warriors beat Nuggets 116-107

Stephen Curry scored 53 points to pass Wilt Chamberlain for the most in Warriors franchise history as Golden State beat the Denver Nuggets 116-107. Draymond Green had 18 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, Andrew Wiggins scored 17 points and Kent Bazemore added 14 for the Warriors. Nikola Jokić led the Nuggets with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. Michael Porter Jr. added 24 points and nine rebounds. Curry scored 21 points in the first quarter, giving him 17,786 in his career. That passed Chamberlain’s 17,783 with the franchise, a record he’d held since 1964. It marked his seventh straight game scoring at least 30 points, the longest streak by a Warrior since Rick Barry during the 1966-67 season.

Chicago Cubs concerned about possible COVID-19 outbreak

The Chicago Cubs are concerned about a possible COVID-19 outbreak after two coaches tested positive for the virus and three relievers were placed on the COVID-19-related injured list. The team announced the positive test for bullpen coach Chris Young before its series opener at Milwaukee, with first base coach Craig Driver already away from the team following his positive test. Relievers Brandon Workman, Jason Adam and Dan Winkler were placed on the COVID-19-related injured list. There was no word on whether their designation was the result of a positive test or contact tracing.

Schwarber debuts, leads Nats over Cardinals 5-2

Kyle Schwarber doubled in a run in his delayed Nationals debut, Andrew Stevenson had a pinch-hit homer and Washington beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2. Schwarber, Josh Bell and Josh Harrison were in the starting lineup after being sidelined for Washington’s first six games by a coronavirus outbreak that prompted the postponement of the team’s season-opening series and left the club short-handed. The Nats ended a five-game skid, while the Cardinals have lost three straight. Stevenson hit his first homer of the season into St. Louis’ bullpen in right field to lead off the seventh, putting Washington ahead 4-2. The solo shot was just his fourth homer in 221 career at-bats.  

What's next as Congress ramps up investigations of Jan. 6

More than three months after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, Congress is still trying to figure out how to move forward and prevent future attacks. A top priority for lawmakers is deciding what to do with the tall black fence that has surrounded the Capitol since Jan. 6. Another focus is the Capitol Police, who were badly outnumbered that day. The House Administration Committee, which oversees the Capitol Police, is holding a hearing Thursday to examine an internal agency report looking at the mistakes that were made. A separate panel is investigating the insurrection and questioning law enforcement leaders about how to move forward.

India reels amid virus surge, affecting world vaccine supply

India is experiencing its worst pandemic surge, with average daily infections exceeding 130,000 over the past week. The spike is particularly alarming because India is a major vaccine producer and a critical supplier to the U.N.-backed initiative that aims to help distribute shots fairly. Already the rise in cases has forced India to focus on satisfying its domestic demand — and delay deliveries. When infections began plummeting in India in September, many concluded the worst had passed. Masks and social distancing were abandoned, while the government gave mixed signals about the level of risk. When cases began rising again in February, authorities were left scrambling. 

Asian shares gain despite virus worries; China exports rise

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mostly higher on Tuesday with hopes growing for a global economic rebound despite surging coronavirus cases in many places. China reported its exports rose nearly 31% in March, in line with expectations but weaker…

Divisional arms races heat up at NHL trade deadline

All divisional play through the first two rounds of the playoffs made a major impact at the NHL trade deadline. As much as hockey executives like to say they worry only about making their own team better, several of the big moves executed Monday turned out to be important responses to division rivals. After Pittsburgh, Boston and the New York Islanders made additions, East-leading Washington made the biggest splash by getting big forward Anthony Mantha. Florida couldn't let defending champion Tampa Bay run away with the Central, so the Panthers traded for Sam Bennett. Out West, Colorado followed Vegas' move for more depth up front by doing the same. And Edmonton and Winnipeg filled holes after Toronto went all-in.

California's ArcLight and Pacific Theaters to close for good

Hollywood’s theatrical business may be slowly rebounding but for some exhibitors the last year has been catastrophic. Pacific Theaters, which operates some 300 screens in California, including the beloved ArcLight theaters and the historic Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, said Monday that it will not be reopening. Pacific Theaters also operates the multiplexes at The Grove and The Americana shopping malls in the Los Angeles area. Los Angeles County recently expanded capacity for indoor moviegoing to 50% after more than a year of being closed. The ArcLight theaters were a favorite of many entertainment industry professionals and celebrities, with locations throughout Southern California.  

Randle leads Knicks over Lakers and back above .500

Julius Randle had 34 points and 10 rebounds against his former team and the New York Knicks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 111-96 for their third straight victory. Coming off tense finishes against Memphis and Toronto, the Knicks led comfortably for much of the fourth quarter and moved back above .500 at 28-27. Elfrid Payton scored 20 points and Derrick Rose added 14 off the bench for the Knicks. Dennis Schroder scored 21 points and Markieff Morris had 17 for the Lakers, who fell to 5-7 since LeBron James sprained his ankle March 20, joining fellow All-Star Anthony Davis on the sideline.

Sailor who shot, killed himself at Hawaii resort identified

The Honolulu Medical Examiner's office has identified the U.S. Navy sailor who shot and killed himself on Monday in a luxury resort after a police standoff. The medical examiner's office says Russell Cruz of Kailua, Hawaii died of a gunshot wound to the head. The Navy was still notifying relatives Monday and hadn't yet released his name or other details. A statement Sunday confirmed he was a sailor assigned to the Pacific Submarine Force. Police said he fired shots from his room Saturday. He was found dead early Sunday. No one else was injured. 

Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala deploy troops to lower migration

The Biden administration has struck an agreement with Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala to temporarily surge troops to their borders in an effort to reduce the tide of migration to the U.S. border. White House press secretary Jen Psaki says Mexico will maintain a deployment of about 10,000 troops, while Guatemala has surged 1,500 police and military personnel to its southern border and Honduras has deployed 7,000 police and military to its border “to disperse a large contingent of migrants” there. A White House official said Guatemala and Honduras were deploying troops temporarily, in response to a large caravan of migrants that was being organized at the end of March.

Marijuana growing equipment may have caused LA explosion

Officials believe equipment from a marijuana grow in a Los Angeles home’s garage may have caused an explosion that shattered the structures, trapping one man in the debris and sending another to the hospital with critical burn injuries. More than a dozen nearby homes were evacuated after the explosion Sunday night in the San Fernando Valley and several were damaged. Firefighters discovered a 59-year-old man with critical burn injuries outside the home and rescued another man buried in rubble. Two other adults and three children in the home were not injured. Authorities on Monday say an inspection of the home and garage wreckage found evidence of a marijuana grow. 

Bruins bolster playoff push, acquire Taylor Hall from Sabres

The banged-up Boston Bruins are getting a boost for their late-season playoff push by acquiring forward Taylor Hall in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres. The Bruins are also adding checking line forward Curtis Lazar despite missing the past six games with an upper-body injury. Buffalo acquired fourth-year forward Anders Bjork and a second-round pick in a deal completed in advance of the NHL’s trade deadline. The Sabres agreed to retain half of the remainder of Hall’s one-year, $8 million salary as part of the deal. The NHL’s 2018 MVP was deemed expendable by last-place Buffalo while it retools for beyond this season.

Twins, Wolves, Wild postpone games following police shooting

The Minnesota Twins, Wild and Timberwolves have postponed games scheduled for Monday. The decisions were made following the fatal police shooting of a Black man, Daunte Wright, in a nearby suburb. The Red Sox and Twins were supposed to start a four-game series. There was no immediate word about rescheduling. The Wild will play the St. Louis Blues on May 12 instead. The Timberwolves' game against the Brooklyn Nets also was postponed. Daunte Wright was killed Sunday when a Brooklyn Center police officer fired a handgun instead of a stun gun after a traffic stop.