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Kenin beats Zidansek to start Veneto Open

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:04 GMT

GAIBA, Italy (AP) — Former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin defeated Tamara Zidansek 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the Veneto Open on Monday.Kenin raced to a 5-0 advantage in the first set then lost four straight games before closing it out and running away with the second.Ranked No. 127 after an injury-plagued 2022, Kenin was playing her second match on grass this season after losing to Sonay Kartal in qualifying in Nottingham nine days earlier.Kenin won the Australian Open in 2020 and reached the French Open final that year.Also, fourth-seeded Olga Danilovic eliminated Alessandra Teodosescu 6-2, 7-5; and sixth-seeded Yuan Yue defeated Han Na-lae 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4). Other winners included Italian wild card Lisa Pigato and Jang Su-jeong.It’s the second year of the Veneto Open, the first WTA tournament played on natural grass in Italy. The courts are made on former soccer fields.___More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

Montana officials downplay first-of-its-kind climate trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:04 GMT

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana officials sought to downplay a first-of-its-kind trial over a state’s obligations to protect residents from climate change, saying on Monday that a victory by the young plaintiffs would not change approvals for fossil fuel projects.Attorneys for Montana’s Republican attorney general began laying out their defense following a week of often emotional testimony in state court from more than a dozen young people who sued the state in 2020.The 16 plaintiffs, ranging in age from 5 to 22 years old, say they’re being harmed by wildfire smoke, excessive heat and other effects of climate change. They’re asking a judge to declare unconstitutional a state law that prevents agencies from considering the effect of greenhouse gases when they issue permits for fossil fuel development.Experts say greenhouse gas emissions from coal, oil and natural gas are making the Earth hotter. Plaintiffs’ attorneys say Montana has never denied a permit for a fo...

Venus Williams, aged 43 and ranked No 697, pulls off surprising win at Birmingham Classic

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:04 GMT

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — At age 43 and ranked No. 697, Venus Williams isn’t done quite yet — especially on her favored surface of grass.Williams upset 48th-ranked Camile Giorgi 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (6) after more than three hours at the Birmingham Classic on Monday for her first victory over a player in the top 50 in nearly four years.Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion and five-time winner of the Wimbledon singles, was out for six months because of a hamstring injury sustained in Auckland in the first week of the year.On her return last week, she lost to 17-year-old Celine Naef in the first round of the Libema Open in the Netherlands.Williams said it was “touch and go” against Giorgi.“There were so many moments where I thought, ‘This match is over,’ then she would hit a shot from out of nowhere,” Williams said. “She pushed me to be better than what I thought I could be, and it’s great for me.“I haven’t played a lot of matches, and it’s great to come through....

Sports on TV for Tuesday, June 20

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:04 GMT

(All times Eastern)Schedule subject to change and/or blackoutsTuesday, June 20BOWLING7 p.m.CBSSN — PWBA: The U.S. Women’s Open(asterisk), Rochester, N.Y.COLLEGE BASEBALL2 p.m.ESPN — College World Series: TCU vs. Oral Roberts, Game 9, Omaha, Neb.7 p.m.ESPN — College World Series: TBD, Game 10, Omaha, Neb.MLB BASEBALL1 p.m.MLBN — 2023 Draft Combine: From Phoenix6:30 p.m.TBS — Atlanta at Philadelphia10 p.m.TBS — LA Dodgers at LA AngelsSOCCER (MEN’S)2:30 p.m.FS1 — UEFA Euro Qualifying Group Stage: Iceland vs. Portugal, Group J, Reykjavík, IcelandFS2 — International Friendly: Germany vs. Colombia, Gelsenkirchen, Germany4:35 p.m.FS2 — CONCACAF Gold Cup Preliminary: Guadeloupe vs. Guyana, Second Round, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.7 p.m.FS2 — CONCACAF Gold Cup Preliminary: Martinique vs. Puerto Rico, Second Round, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.9:20 p.m.FS2 — CONCACAF Gold Cup Preliminary: St. Kitts and Nevis vs. French Guiana, Second Round, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.5 a.m. (Wednesday)FS1 — UEFA Euro Qualifying ...

Leader of Honduran anti-corruption group leaves country under threats

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:04 GMT

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — The director of a Honduran anti-corruption organization has fled the country with her family over threats she received in the month since publishing a report on nepotism inside the administration of President Xiomara Castro.The National Anti-Corruption Council has been reporting alleged wrongdoing in successive Honduran administrations for nearly a decade. On May 25, it warned of the dangers posed by a “concentration of power” from government posts going to the sons and other relatives of Castro and her husband, former President Manuel Zelaya.The group said its director, Gabriela Castellanos, had left Honduras for an undisclosed destination because of threats.“We will continue fighting against corruption,” Castellanos said via Twitter. “Those who must be quiet are the cowards, not the brave voices of the Hondurans who work to pass down a Honduras worthy of being called motherland.”The group said Castellanos had filed a complaint with the National Human R...

La selección de Nueva Zelandia denuncia insultos racistas de un jugador de Qatar y abandona partido amistoso

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:04 GMT

(CNN Español) — La selección mayor masculina de Nueva Zelandia se retiró este lunes de un partido amistoso que disputaba contra Qatar por insultos racistas contra uno de sus jugadores, informó la selección oceánica en su cuenta oficial de Twitter.Nueva Zelandia informó que su jugador “Michael Boxall fue objeto de insultos racistas durante el primer tiempo del partido por parte de un jugador de Qatar”.Debido a que no hubo ningún proceso oficial para solucionar el problema, el conjunto neozelandés decidió ya no salir a la cancha para jugar el segundo tiempo del partido amistoso, informó la selección.La selección de Brasil cambia su uniforme por primera vez en 109 años ¿Cuál es la razón?Por su parte, la selección de Qatar señaló en su cuenta de Twitter que Nueva Zelandia decidió retirarse del partido amistoso, pero no dio una explicación al respecto.Qatar y Nueva Zelandia se enfrentaban en Austria como parte de la actual fecha FIFA (que va del 12 al 20 de junio). La s...

Colorado marijuana prices rise for the first time in two years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:04 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Rent is likely to grow again in the Denver metro, and marijuana prices may, too. Colorado marijuana has never been cheaper The COVID pandemic sparked a big change in marijuana prices. Sales reached their highest-ever levels between the summers of 2020 and 2021, and the price retailers pay for bulk cannabis has crashed ever since. The average market price for a pound of Colorado marijuana bud has been falling since early 2021, according to Colorado Department of Revenue figures. The price of a pound of bud was at its highest level since 2016 last January at $1,721. By April 2023, it had shrunk to less than half that price at $649 per pound, the lowest price ever recorded since Colorado began its first legal marijuana sales.This month, though, retail prices have ticked upwards. The price for a pound of bud went from $649 to $703 in June. This is the first time retail has risen since October 2021. This is the longest stretch of time since legalization that marijuana...

Heavy rains cause flooding in Miami; Biscayne Boulevard ramp heading east closed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:04 GMT

Several areas in South Florida were hit with flooding due to heavy rains, causing difficulties for drivers and prompting officials to take precautionary measures.Monday marked a soggy start to the work week as rain poured down, reducing visibility on the roads. It is a well-known fact among Floridians that rainfall often leads to localized flooding.In an abundance of caution, officials made the decision to close the Biscayne Boulevard ramp, which heads east onto the MacArthur Causeway, due to flooding concerns. This closure aims to ensure the safety of motorists.Additionally, authorities issued a warning to drivers that if the rain persists and continues to create hazardous conditions, sections of Biscayne Boulevard between Northeast 11th Street and 13th Street may be closed as well.To avoid disruptions and potential hazards, authorities are urging drivers to seek alternative routes.

Hit-and-run investigation underway in fatal collision on I-75 in Weston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:04 GMT

Authorities are conducting an investigation into a fatal hit-and-run collision on southbound Interstate 75, near Royal Palm Blvd – Exit 15 in Weston. The incident involved a pedestrian and a gray Honda Civic, which fled the scene.According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the unidentified driver was traveling south on the southbound I-75 in the outside center travel lane, approaching Royal Palm Blvd – Exit 15, around 3:30 a.m., Sunday. For reasons still under investigation, the pedestrian was standing or walking on the outside center travel lane. Despite attempts to avoid the collision, the vehicle was unable to prevent the collision and subsequently struck the pedestrian with the front right portion of the vehicle.Vehicle parts belonging to a gray Honda Civic were found near the pedestrian. The year of the Honda Civic is currently unknown and is part of the ongoing investigation. The vehicle is expected to have front right damage and is considered a vehicle of interest in...

Pedestrian fatally struck in North Miami Beach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:04 GMT

A pedestrian was struck and killed in the street in North Miami Beach on Monday morning.The fatal incident occurred near the intersection of 163rd Street westbound, just before Northeast 35th Avenue.Upon arrival at the scene, a yellow tarp was observed covering the victim’s body, while the driver’s car displayed noticeable front-end damage.Law enforcement officials confirmed that the driver involved in the collision remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. Following the necessary investigative procedures, all lanes in the surrounding area have since reopened.