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Simone Biles dazzles in her return from a 2-year layoff to dominate the US Classic

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:37 GMT

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (AP) — Simone Biles spent two years trying to distance herself from those strange days in Tokyo and all the outside noise that came along with it.She dove into theory and slowly — very slowly — returned to training even though she wavered on whether she was really up for a third Olympics and all of the pressure and expectations that come with it when you’re considered the greatest of all time.It wasn’t until mid-spring that she committed to training seriously after talking about it over margaritas with her coaches. It wasn’t until late June that she committed to Saturday night’s U.S. Classic. And it wasn’t until she stepped onto the podium and heard the shrieks of support and the sea of handmade signs that the noise she’d been grappling with for 732 days finally fell silent.She was back in her safe space. Back in front of a crowd. Back in control. Back to being the Simone Biles — albeit a more mature, married, 26-year-old ver...

Canada suspending direct aid to Niger’s government after military coup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:37 GMT

Ottawa has announced it will stop providing financial assistance to Niger’s government in the wake of a military coup in the West African country.Leaders of the military junta are facing a Sunday deadline from the Economic Community of West African States, known as ECOWAS, to reinstate democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum or face possible foreign intervention.Global Affairs Canada says in a statement that the coup is a serious threat to democracy and stability in the region.It says the Canadian government is suspending all direct funding to Niger’s government, but other assistance to vulnerable populations will continue.Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says in the statement that Canada supports ECOWAS mediation efforts, and the democratically elected government must immediately be reinstated.The Global Affairs Department says a bilateral development deal signed with Niger in 2020 had been expected to reach an annual budget of $10 million per year by 2026....

Man shot by Chicago officers after shooting at them during foot chase

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:37 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is in critical but stable condition after Chicago police officers shot him after he shot at them during a foot chase.The incident happened around 6:45 p.m. Saturday in the 2400 block of East 72nd Street.Officers were conducting a narcotics investigation when the man ran from officers, Interim Superintendent Fred Waller said. During the foot chase, the man fired shots at officers and officers returned fire.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesThe man was shot and taken to a hospital where he is currently in critical but stable condition after surgery, Waller said.The man's weapon was recoved, Waller said.Chicago police said no officers were injured, but one officer was taken to the hospital for shortness of breath and is ok, Waller said.According to preliminary information, Chicago police said an officer responding to the scene on East 72nd Street was involved in a crash near 71st and Cornell. The officer is expected to be ok.The incident was captured on body camer...

Showers and t-storms expected to move in late Sunday and linger into Monday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:37 GMT

A mostly cloudy and muggy Sunday with a spot shower in the morning. Better chance of showers and storms by the late afternoon and evening. Severe storms are possible, mainly south of I-80 corridor. Cloudy conditions are expected for Monday with showers on and off throughout the day. Storms possible. Staying humid.More than a million people in have been relocated, and more than 100,000 government employees were mobilized for relief work according to government reports. CONTINUE READINGTorrential rains on Friday caused rivers to swell swiftly and burst into houses, fields and towns. Experts say extreme weather conditions are partly fueled by climate change. CONTINUE READINGWeekend Gardener Episode

Churches in San Marcos, Wimberley open doors for Oak Grove Fire evacuees

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:37 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Those who evacuated their homes Saturday due to the Oak Grove Fire burning near San Marcos can seek shelter at two churches in the area.Promised Land Church, located at 1650 Lime Kiln Road in San Marcos, and First Baptist Church of Wimberley at 15951 Winters Mill Parkway have opened their doors for evacuees to stay until they are allowed back in their homes. One home destroyed, multiple evacuations from Oak Grove wildfire, estimated at 300 acres and 10% contained KXAN reporter Grace Reader spoke with Erica, a representative from Promised Land Church."We have a team of people here ready to help," Erica said. "We've been fortunate to have the Red Cross here with us to help coordinate things and help us have the resources to help the community."Officials responded to a large outside fire, known as the Oak Grove Fire, in Hays County Saturday, Aug. 5. | Jake Sykes/KXAN NewsOfficials responded to a large outside fire, known as the Oak Grove Fire, in Hays Coun...

Asylum seekers have been coming to N.Y. for one year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:37 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Asylum seekers have been arriving in New York City since August of 2022. From then on, almost 100,000 refugees have entered the Empire State with around 56,000 still in the city’s 194 shelters and nearby streets. With around 44,000 migrants coming to other counties, local outreach groups describe New York as a welcoming state. With immigrants making up a quarter of the current population, asylees have been working towards finding their place in the area.Albany County residents found themselves welcoming in asylum seekers the last weekend of May to their surprise along with Colonie Town Supervisor Peter Crummey. According to Crummey, he was not made aware of the situation for the Sure Stay Best Western until Friday, May 26. At the time, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan explained even though there was a change of plans, talk of asylees coming to the area was months old. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “That chang...

2 killed, 3 critically injured in Long Beach boat fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:37 GMT

Two people were killed and three others were critically injured after a boat fire erupted in Long Beach on Saturday night.Crews responded to a boat fire in Alamitos Bay near the 200 block of Marina Drive around 5:17 p.m., according to the Long Beach Fire Department.Five victims were found at the scene — two people were pronounced dead while three others had critical burn-related injuries.All victims were airlifted to local hospitals for treatment. The flames erupted on a “35-foot pleasure craft” that was in close proximity to a fuel dock near Fire Station 21, authorities said.Images from the scene show large plumes of smoke covering the pier as bystanders looked on. Both land and marine reinforcements responded to the scene the extinguish the blaze.  2 arrested for deadly shooting in Irvine neighborhood Two people were killed and three others critically injured after a boat fire erupted in Long Beach on August 5, 2023. (Long Beach Fire Department)Citizen video of a boat fire that ...

Clayton grass fire near San Jose is now 97 percent contained

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:37 GMT

A grass fire that charred the hills east of San Jose is 97 percent contained, Cal Fire announced Saturday evening.The Clayton Fire started Thursday afternoon around Clayton Road and Via De La Vista and went on to cover nearly 70 acres. It briefly obtained tier-three status as it threatened multiple structures, though none were damaged.A Cal Fire helicopter at one point siphoned water from Lake Cunningham to help quench the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation.Here is a map of the area in Santa Clara County affected by the fire from Cal Fire:The location of the Clayton Fire east of San Jose, which was 97 percent contained as of August 5, 2023, according to Cal Fire. (Map courtesy of Cal Fire) 

Coco Gauff will face Sakkari for the DC Open title. Griekspoor plays Evans in the men’s final

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:37 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 05: Maria Sakkari of Greece (L) shakes hands with Jessica Pegula of the United States after beating her in three sets during Day 8 of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Tennis Center on August 05, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)(Getty Images/Rob Carr) WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 05: Maria Sakkari of Greece (L) shakes hands with Jessica Pegula of the United States after beating her in three sets during Day 8 of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Tennis Center on August 05, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)(Getty Images/Rob Carr) WASHINGTON (AP) — Coming off a pair of first-round exits at the past two Grand Slam tournaments, Maria Sakkari ...

Anderson, Ramírez facing suspensions after fight, 6 ejections in wild White Sox-Guardians brawl

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:37 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Tim Anderson dropped his glove. José Ramírez dropped Chicago’s shortstop.Ramírez landed a looping right hook to Anderson’s jaw when the infield stars squared off and started throwing punches at second base Saturday night in the sixth inning, triggering a wild brawl before the White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-4.Anderson and Ramírez are likely facing suspensions for their roles in a lengthy bench-clearing melee that led to six ejections and heightened bad blood between the AL Central rivals.“From the second I set foot in the clubhouse, I could tell these teams don’t like each other,” said Cleveland starter Noah Syndergaard, who was acquired in a trade last week. “And I don’t think it’s going to be resolved anytime soon.”After Anderson and Ramírez squared off, both benches and bullpens poured onto the field, leading to some chaotic moments in one of the nastiest fights in the majors in recent years.“It’s not funny, but ...